Jayne Boykin
DUNCAN — A two-vehicle accident on a rainy Friday morning took the life of a Waurika man and injured five other people, one of them seriously.
According to the report prepared by Trooper Thomas Winton of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Jerrel Barton, 43, of Waurika, was driving a 2000 Pontiac Montana minivan south on U.S. Highway 81 about two miles south of Waurika just after 9:45 a.m. when he crossed into a marked no-passing zone to pass a tractor-trailer rig. His vehicle collided head-on with a 1997 Ford pickup being driven north by Stephanie Snider, 27, of Ryan.
Barton and Snider were pinned in their vehicles for approximately 30 minutes before being freed by members of the Waurika and Ryan fire departments.
Barton was transported to Jefferson County Hospital by Waurika EMS, where he died of massive internal injuries.
Snider was transported to the hospital by Waurika EMS and transferred to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City, where she was admitted in serious condition with a broken pelvis, according to the report. She was in fair condition Saturday afternoon, a hospital spokesperson said..
A passenger in Barton’s vehicle, Sidney Barton, 20, of Waurika, was ejected into the roadway an unknown distance. She and another passenger, Sancey Barton, 12, of Waurika, were taken to the hospital by private vehicle, where the young women were treated and released, the report said.
Two other passengers in Barton’s vehicle: Dustin Hutchinson, 22, of Sterling, and Joseph Dewbre, 26, of Waurika, were transported to hospitals — Hutchinson to Waurika, and Dewbre to Comanche County Memorial Hospital in Lawton, a spokesperson there said. Both were treated and released.
The report said both vehicles were equipped with seat belts, but only Snider was wearing hers. Both vehicles were also equipped with air bags, but they did not deploy.
Winton was assisted by OHP Troopers Larry King, Jack Stranahan, Kevin Crawford and Lt. Steve Kirk. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and Waurika police were also on the scene.
Services for Jerrel Barton will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Addington Baptist Church.
