Man’s life claimed, woman injured in head-on collision near Pond Creek
Posted on Friday, November 13th, 2026 at 9:28 pm
NEAR POND CREEK, OK – A 45-year-old man died, and a 64-year-old woman was injured in a head-on collision near Pond Creek on Tuesday, News9 reports.
The incident happened before 8 a.m. on U.S. 81, a half a mile north of Dewey Road.
Investigation details from Oklahoma Highway Patrol reveal that the 45-year-old man, from Clinton, Iowa, was driving south on the highway when he veered into the northbound lane and crashed head-on into a northbound vehicle after attempting to overtake other vehicles in a no-pass zone.
The driver of the southbound vehicle, the 64-year-old woman, a Pond Creek local, swerved to try and avoid hitting the Iowa man’s vehicle, but was unable to avoid a crash.
The impact caused the woman’s vehicle to go into an eastbound ditch, while the man’s vehicle spun uncontrollably before coming to rest.
The Iowa man ultimately succumbed to his injuries and has since been identified asJoseph Housenga. The Pond Creek local, Paula Gates-Rippe, survived and was left with unspecified injuries. It’s unclear whether she needed to go to a hospital.
This information is presented as a way to help keep our community safer and is not meant to be taken as legal advice. However, the Oklahoma car accident attorneys at the Abel Law Firm have helped clients secure financial compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident involving another vehicle, contact us today for a free consultation.
