Three dead in Checotah accident

CHECOTAH, Okla. (AP) _ Three people have died after a car hit a stopped tractor-trailer on U.S. 69 in McIntosh County, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said. <br><br>The three victims were traveling north in

Saturday, February 14th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

CHECOTAH, Okla. (AP) _ Three people have died after a car hit a stopped tractor-trailer on U.S. 69 in McIntosh County, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said.

The three victims were traveling north in a 2000 Chevrolet sedan when it crashed into the rear of a tractor-trailer that had stopped following a separate accident.

The highway patrol said passenger Edward Leflore, 34, of Haileyville, died in the accident around 7:55 p.m. Friday near the intersection of Interstate 40 and U.S. 69 in Checotah. The driver and another passenger, whose names were withheld until family could be notified, also died in the crash.

A third passenger was hospitalized in serious condition.

The patrol said the victims were not wearing seat belts.

The tractor-trailer was unoccupied at the time of the crash.