OHP: Three Injured, Two Critically In Cherokee County Crash

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says two drivers were flown by helicopter to a Tulsa hospital after a three vehicle collision on a Cherokee County highway Thursday afternoon.

Troopers said the crash happened on Highway 82 at about 12:30 p.m. about 11 miles north of Tahlequah.

The OHP says a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Christy Cole, 48, of Tulsa was headed south when she crossed the center line and struck a 2003 Kenworth driven by Kyle Mitchell, 31, of Muskogee.  

The crashed caused the semi to jack knife and go off the highway.  Cole's car then struck a 2002 Ford Taurus which was following the semi, according to troopers.   It was driven by Lequita Beavers, 32, of Chouteau.  

Both Cole and Beavers were pinned in their cars and had to be extricated by the Peggs FIre Department.  Both were taken to a Tulsa hospital in critical condition.  

The OHP says a passenger in Beavers' car, Kandice Vernon, 33, of Chouteau was taken to a Tahlequah hospital where she was treated and released.

Kyle Mitchell was not injured.

Troopers said the cause of the crash was inattentive driving.