Claremore Teen Critical After High-Speed Wreck

Driving under the influence of alcohol is suspected in a crash that left a Claremore teen in critical condition early Sunday, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The one-car wreck took place just before 3 a.m. between Claremore and Pryor in Rogers County.

Trooper Andy Floyd said Dalton Gene Rice, 19, was northbound on county road NS 4230 at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his 1996 Pontiac for an unknown reason. The car went off the roadway to the right, went into a broadslide and struck a tree.

Rice was pinned in the car for about 30 minutes before being freed by Tri-District Fire Department using the jaws of life. He was taken by air evac to a Tulsa hospital in critical condition with head, trunk, arm and leg injuries, the trooper said in his report.

Floyd was uncertain whether the Claremore teen was using a seat belt. The car was equipped with airbags, but they did not deploy.

"Alcohol is suspected in this crash," he told News On 6.