Lubbock woman, Tecumseh boy killed in traffic accidents

Thursday, December 28th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

An elderly Lubbock, Texas, woman died when the van in which she was riding slid out of control on an icy U.S. 69 and collided with a tractor-trailer rig Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

Opal l. Young, 70, sustained head and internal injuries and died at a McAlester hospital following the 2:30 p.m. accident near Eufaula, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported.

Troopers believe the van slid on ice when the driver of the semi-truck pulled over on a shoulder to avoid a collision that had just occurred in front of him. The van hit the back of the tractor-trailer.

The van's driver, 51-year-old James. D. Hausler, of Clarksville, Ark., was listed in critical condition at a Tulsa hospital with head and internal injuries, troopers said. A passenger, 51-year-old Gloria J. Hausler, of Clarksville, Ark., was listed in good condition at a McAlester hospital with internal injuries.

The driver of the semi-truck, 39-year-old Michael G. Renfroe, of Talala, was not hurt, the patrol reported.

All were wearing seat belts, troopers said.

In another accident, a 12-year-old Tecumseh boy was killed when his cardboard sled slid down a concrete embankment into the rear wheels of a tractor-trailer rig.

Israel Steele was sledding with two young relatives near U.S. 177 in Tecumseh just as an 18-wheel Freightliner was proceeding along the highway access road, Tecumseh Police Chief Gary Crosby said.

Israel apparently slid under the back wheels on the driver's side as the other two children slid behind the tires. They were not injured, Crosby said.

The driver didn't realize the child was under the truck until he glanced out his side mirror. Measurements showed the semi-truck's wheels dragged the child about 850 feet, Crosby said. He died at the scene, authorities said.