Search Continues For Driver In Deadly Crash

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

NOWATA, OK -- The Oklahoma Highway Patrol continues to look for a driver they say caused a crash that killed two people, and put a third in a coma.  It happened 10 days ago on Highway 169 near Nowata.

"My first thought:  am I dead or alive? And then, I looked at my husband and saw how badly hurt he was," said Anna Marie Hobbs.

Anna Marie Hobbs's husband, Gene, remains in a coma 10 days after his Lincoln Towncar was hit head-on by a Pontiac on Highway 169.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says a classic car, described as a 1955 through 1957 model black Chevy Bel Air, passed the Hobbs car on this stretch of Highway 169.       

But, there wasn't enough room.

The Pontiac, which was coming the other way, swerved to avoid the Chevy, and then hit the Hobbs' vehicle.

The driver of the Pontiac, 15-year-old Kyler Blagg, and his mother, 44-year-old Amy Blagg of Caney, Kansas, were killed.

Gene's own daughter, Debra, arrived shortly after the wreck and snapped these pictures.  She says it's difficult to imagine the driver who caused it has yet to turn himself in.

"I got so angry. You want that guy found. It won't bring my dad back, but he won't do it to somebody else," said Debra Hobbs, Gene's daughter.

Ironically, Gene Hobbs retired to work on classic cars like the one allegedly responsible for his accident.  His wife says the 70 year-old's passion is in his garage.

"He enjoys life. We enjoy life together. He's a great guy. I couldn't be married to anybody better, and I miss him so much," said Anna Marie Hobbs.        

Anna Marie says doctors have given her husband little hope of ever making a full recovery.  But, she still hopes the driver of the Chevy will develop a conscience.

"It was just an unnecessary accident his foolishness caused. And, he needs to know that he needs to pay for that," said Anna Marie Hobbs.

There were classic car shows on May 9th in both Bartlesville and Cherryvale, Kansas.  The Hobbs believe the driver attended one of them.

Anyone with information about the Chevy Bel Air can call the OHP at 918-256-3388.