Deadly head-on accident

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is continuing its investigation into a fatality traffic accident at Main Street and Green Avenue in Purcell last Saturday morning.

The OHP said Cherie Hudson, 62, of Purcell was killed in the accident when her 2016 Toyota Corolla was struck head-on by a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado pickup driven by Timothy McPherson, 64, of Maysville.

McPherson, who was reportedly traveling north on Green Avenue at a high rate of speed, was extricated by the Purcell Fire Department with the Hurst Tool.  He was then transported by Wadley’s EMS to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City. He was admitted in critical condition with head, arm, leg and trunk internal injuries, the OHP reported.

Investigating OHP Shayne Ballard said the pickup, “traveled through a red light at excessive speed, swerved to the left and struck the Corolla.”

First responders were called to the scene at 9:15 a.m.

The collision was reported to have occurred at Main Street. The Corolla, reportedly in the left turn lane, was knocked about 1/2 a block to the northwest coming to rest on the west side of Green Avenue about half way to Washington facing northeast.

The red Silverado pickup did not come to rest until a block later at Washington and Green Avenue, facing north. Both vehicles were total losses.

Substantial debris littered Green from Main Street all the way to Washington.

While firefighters were working the active accident scene, another accident was reported on I-35 where assistant chief Rocky Claunch and another firefighter left the Main and Green scene and responded to the interstate accident.

With Purcell responding to two accident scenes, Lexington and Wayne Firefighters were called upon to help at the downtown Purcell accident.

The main thoroughfare was closed from 9:15 a.m. until 11:48 a.m. Firemen reported using six bags of oil dry on fluids that leaked from both vehicles.

Leading the OHP investigation is Ballard. He was assisted at the scene by Trooper Pletcher, Purcell Police, Purcell, Lexington and Wayne Firefighters, the McClain County Sheriff’s Department and Wadley’s EMS.