Fog contributes to domino pile-up

Okarche Police Chief Forrest Smith reports that a multi-vehicle pileup on Wednesday turned into a clinic on police teamwork.

Smith said the accident, which eventually involved 11 vehicles, all sustaining damage, occurred just South of Tower Café, approximately 600 South Main (U.S. 81) at about 5:45 a.m. in a heavy fog.

Okarche officers were dispatched to a vehicle accident in the northbound lanes.  

Upon arrival, Okarche Officer Cruz Holguin noticed not just two cars but four cars had been involved in an accident.

While providing assistance to the motorists, other vehicles collided with the overpass barrier, causing minimal damage.

Holguin said while he continued his investigation, a motorist driving a four-door truck, traveling southbound, lost control of his vehicle as he passed Holguin’s police unit.

While the driver attempted to correct his path, he apparently over-corrected, causing the vehicle to roll.

The truck came to a final rest on top of the bridge barrier.  This vehicle was occupied by three people, a male and two females whose names weren’t available at press time.

While Holguin was working to slow vehicles down, a semi tractor-trailer emerged from the fog and collided with another vehicle from the rear, causing a domino effect and fresh damage to vehicles involved in the previous accidents.

Smith described the scene:   

“I immediately attended to the rollover vehicle and along with a passerby who was a medical professional, provided immediate assistance.  (The medical professional immediately stopped to offer her services – I never got her name, but she was of great help and was ready to provide service in any way possible),” Smith said.

“It was a true showing of teamwork that allowed us to minimize further accidents and injuries,” Smith said.

Smith said he received assistance from Kingfisher Police Department, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Canadian County Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Okarche Public Works Department, Okarche Fire Department, Kingfisher 911 dispatcher and Southside and Cavin wrecker services.