OHP: One Dead, 7 Injured In Mayes County Wreck

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports that a Tahlequah man was killed Sunday in a crash west of Pensacola after his vehicle went left of center and struck another vehicle head-on. 

The crash occurred September 4, 2016 just before noon on Highway 28 and east of North 442 Road in Mayes County.

John Matthews, 73, was pronounced dead at the scene from massive injuries sustained from the collision, according to the OHP report. 

The collision report states that Matthews’ vehicle, a 2002 Buick LeSabre, was driving westbound on Highway 28 when it crossed the center line into eastbound traffic and struck a 2011 Dodge Durango driven by Edgar Rodriguez, 33, of Yukon. 

The OHP says Rodriguez had six passengers in his vehicle: Marisela Rodriguez, 31; Karen M. Roman, 19; Heber Ponce, 22; and three children ages 8, 4 and 2 months old. 

According to the collision report: Edgar Rodriguez was treated on the scene for leg injuries and released; Marisela Rodriguez was treated at a Tulsa hospital for trunk injuries and released; Roman and Ponce were both treated at the scene for arm injuries and released; the 8-year-old child was treated at Tulsa hospital for head injuries and released; the 4-year-old child and the 2-month-old child were treated at the scene for arm injuries and released. All were released in good condition, the report states. 

The OHP report states the condition of both drivers was normal at the time of the crash, and the cause of the collision was Matthews driving left of center in a no-passing zone.

Matthews was not wearing a seatbelt and Rodriguez and his six passengers were all wearing seatbelts, troopers said.