Claremore Daily Progress

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August 7, 2009

Head-on crash on SH 88 near Tiawah claims life

Joy Hampton

August 7, 2009 — A head-on fatality collision occurred Thursday on SH 88 at 3:12 p.m., one-half mile south of EW 540, just south of Willieo Baptist Church.

David Blanton, 54 of Afton, OK died at the scene.

The accident occurred when Blanton’s 2005 Dodge Stratus heading northbound on SH 88 went left of center for unknown reasons and hit a 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe, driven by Richard Gorham, 38, of Claremore.

Gorham was transported by life-flight to St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa. He was admitted in stable condition with head, trunk, internal and leg injuries.

“It was a direct head on,” said Tiawah Fire Chief Johnny Golbek.

Golbek said the accident occurred at the curve just of Willieo.

“We have worked wrecks on that curve, but the other curves historically have been the bad ones in my mind. The Ingersoll curve where the four-lane improvement ends is the one that sticks out in my mind,” said Golbek. “This particular curve, we’ve worked wrecks there but they haven’t been bad. This one was bad. It was the most direct head-on collision I’ve ever seen.”

Gorhham was extricated by EMS and Inola and Tiawah Fire Departments using the Hurst tool.

Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts.

The accident was investigated by Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper Leonard Mcmillan, assisted by trooper Troy Gilmore, trooper Ricky Humdy, trooper Cole Patterson and trooper Nathan Watson. Also assisting were Inola Police and Fire Departments, Tiawah Fire Department, and Rogers County Sheriffs Office.

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