Two Die Following Turnpike Accident

A Fayetteville, Arkansas woman and a 79-year old Springdale, Arkansas woman have died following an accident on the Will Rogers Turnpike near Claremore overnight.

Monday, October 6th 2008, 7:50 am

By: News On 6

NewsOn6.com

CLAREMORE, OK -- A 49-year-old Fayetteville, Arkansas woman and a 79-year-old Springdale, Arkansas woman have died following an accident on the Will Rogers Turnpike near Claremore overnight.

The accident happened just after 3:30 a.m. Monday on the turnpike, at mile marker 258. The accident closed down the highway for over an hour and a half.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says the driver of a van tried to make an illegal U-turn on the Interstate, when an eastbound semi struck the van.

OHP troopers say two passengers in the van, 49-year-old Anet Jonaie and 79-year old Rese River died from injuries sustained in the accident. Three others in the van were also injured. Jonaie was prounounced dead at the scene. River died at a Tulsa hospital. The other three victims remain in Tulsa hospitals.

The driver and a passenger in the semi were not hurt in the accident.