Delaware County Motorhome Accident Kills Two Teens

NewsOn6.com

DELAWARE COUNTY -- A motorhome accident killed two members of an Illinois family early Saturday evening on the Cherokee Turnpike in Delaware County. A 16-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy were killed in an accident troopers say was caused by a sleepy driver.

The 1998 Chevy motorhome was driven by 70-year-old James Fredrick Crutcher of Cropsey, Illinois. According to a report by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Crutcher was apparently sleepy when the vehicle drifted off on the right side of the road and struck four concrete bridge pillars at about 5:35 p.m.

The accident took place in the eastbound lanes of the turnpike at about mile marker 29 a half mile east of Kansas.

Two passengers, 13-year-old Alec C. Crutcher and 16-year-old Tori L. Crutcher, both of Fairbury, Illinois, died at the scene of the wreck.

Three other passengers survived the accident. They are 67-year-old Meralee R. Crutcher of Cropsey' Craig A. Crutcher, 46, of Fairbury, and 43-year-old Connie L. Cook of Fairbury.

Craig Crutcher and Cook were injured and taken by medical helicopter to a Tulsa hospital. They are both reported to be in stable condition.

The driver and Meralee Crutcher were both treated and released for minor injuries. They were both wearing safety belts. The trooper says the vehicle was not equipped with seat belts for the other passengers.