A two-car crash resulted in the death of a teenager from Medicine Park, Oklahoma. The crash occurred at the intersection of Highways 49 and 58. The wreck happened around 5:30 p.m., on Tuesday evening. The car that the teen was driving was heading south on Highway 58. The car stopped at the intersection with 49. She then attempted to turn eastbound onto Highway 49. Law enforcement officials stated that she did not yield to oncoming traffic. Her car was broadsided by another automobile traveling westbound. Sadly, 18-year-old Micayla Smith was pronounced dead on the scene. Her brother was also in the car with her. He was critically injured and airlifted to a hospital in Oklahoma City.
According to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, 609 deaths were reported on Oklahoma roadways in 2011. They also said that 51 fatalities occurred during failure to yield crashes. This number actually dropped from 2010. In 2010, 74 fatalities were reported in this type of crash. Texans know all too well the dangers of roadway collisions. In fact, over 3000 fatalities occurred on Texas roadways in 2011. Another 79,000 people were also seriously injured on the roads in Texas, in 2011.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has been stepping up efforts to keep roadways safer. They recently participated in the “Get Your Clicks on Route 66” campaign. This safety campaign was aimed at enforcing seat belt and child passenger safety laws. Law enforcement officers with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol participated in this interstate safety operation. In addition, law enforcement officials with a variety of different agencies took part in this campaign that spanned across eight states.
In the case of this tragic crash, the driver of the second car was hospitalized for non-life threatening injuries. KSWO Channel 7 did report that the younger brother’s condition is improving. Sadly, this is wreck isn’t the first this year to take the life of a young person in Texoma. Texas and Oklahoma roadways have been dangerous and even deadly for teenagers and young people this year. In March, we reported on a 21-year-old, North Texas woman who was killed in a wreck involving livestock. Hopefully, with the continued efforts of law enforcement officials and heightened public interest, tragic wrecks like these can be prevented. The team at the Altman Legal Group sends their deepest condolences to the family and friends of Micayla Smith. We also wish her brother a speedy and full recovery.