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December 4, 2009

Five hurt in two-vehicle crash

By Cathy Spaulding

Five people on their way to a Christmas party for veterans were injured Friday when a truck ran a red light.

A Disabled American Veterans van was taking eight people to a Christmas party and was knocked onto its side when it was hit by a truck at the intersection of 40th Street and West Okmulgee Avenue around 9:30 a.m. Friday.

A report by Muskogee Police Officer Rodger Martinez said the Disabled American Veterans 2006 Ford van driven by William C. Giles, 75, of Muskogee was going south across the intersection when it was hit by a 1995 Dodge pickup driven westbound by Charles Smither, 72, of Muskogee. Smither was cited for running a red light.

All five of the people treated at Muskogee Regional Medical Center were released Friday, a hospital spokesman said.

Jennifer Poston, a hospital service coordinator with the Muskogee DAV, said the van was going to a veteran’s center in Talihina for a Christmas party.

“We were sitting at the red light, and the van went straight through when it had the green light,” Poston said. “The truck went through the red light and hit him. It knocked the van on its side, it hit so hard. We had sacks of fruit and lap robes for all the veterans at the center.”

Apples, bananas and other fruits spilled out of busted plastic bins onto Okmulgee Avenue. Some of the lap robes were used to comfort passengers as they were taken out of the van.

Nurse’s aides from Sequoyah Hospice in McAlester, who happened to be at the intersection, helped treat the injuries.

“We were in two cars. I pulled over and flagged the other car down,” said nurses’ aide Teanna Ray.

“We hoped we could help,” said nurses’ aide Brenda Fritz. “We’re just sticking around to see how we could help.”

Reach Cathy Spaulding at 918-684-2928 or Click Here to Send Email

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