Pontotoc —
A two-vehicle collision at Pontotoc, Okla., injured three men Tuesday — one critically — and authorities said alcohol was a factor.
The crash occurred on U.S. 377 one mile south of the Pontotoc County line in Johnston County at 4:23 p.m.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Ashley Hampton said the southbound driver of a 2000 Chevrolet pickup, 32-year-old Joey L. Harris of Ada, crossed the center line and slammed head-on (driver’s-side to driver’s-side) into a 2008 Chevrolet pickup driven north by 26-year-old Joe R. Pittman of Stonewall.
Firefighters from Tishomingo, Ada and Connerville used hydraulic prying and cutting tools to remove the driver’s-side doors and free Harris who was pinned in the wreckage for 45 minutes.
He was taken to a waiting ambulance where Johnston County and Valley View EMS worked to treat him before a medical helicopter arrived.
Emergency officials on scene said Harris had a compound fracture to his left arm, a shattered left leg, and injuries to his head as well as internal and external injuries.
He was taken by Air Evac to OU Medical Center (OUMC) in Oklahoma City and admitted in critical condition. A passenger in Harris’s pickup, 35-year-old Anthony H. Lattie of Connerville, was pinned for 25 minutes before being freed. He was stabilized before being taken to OUMC and admitted in good condition with head and internal injuries.
Pittman walked away from his vehicle with only minor injuries to his left arm, left leg and burns to his face from air bag deployment. He later was taken by private vehicle to Valley View Regional Hospital in Ada where he was treated and released.
Trooper Hampton said Harris was not wearing a seat belt and based on her investigation, said Harris was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.
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