In the span of less than 30 hours, two serious collisions on U.S. Highway 75 in Okmulgee County resulted in two individuals being transported to Tulsa hospitals in critical condition, prompting renewed attention to traffic safety along the busy corridor.

— Tuesday Afternoon Collision at S. 266 Road The first crash occurred at approximately 2:13 p.m. on Tuesday at the intersection of U.S. 75 Northbound and S. 266 Road. According to a preliminary report by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol’s Troop B, 75-year-old Glenda S. Ward, of Beggs, was traveling southbound on US-75 and attempted to turn left onto County Road 266.

During the turn, Ward failed to yield to oncoming traffic and was struck by a northbound vehicle driven by 38-year-old Misty Paredez, of Tulsa.

Emergency crews arrived promptly and transported Ward to the hospital in critical condition. Paredez also sustained injuries, though they were described as non-life-threatening. Both drivers were reportedly wearing seatbelts, and neither vehicle carried passengers at the time of the crash.

The roadway remained partially blocked as first responders managed the scene and cleared debris. Authorities emphasized that the details provided are based on preliminary findings and the incident remains under investigation.

— Wednesday Evening Collision at Hectorville Road

Just over a day later, a second, unrelated collision occurred on Wednesday, at around 5:46 p.m., further north along US-75 near Hectorville Road. This crash involved a passenger vehicle and a commercial flatbed semi-truck.

According to the OHP report, 28-year-old Jacob Tyler Guernsey, of Okmulgee, was driving southbound when he failed to notice the semi-truck driven by 31-year-old Nadir Jackson, of Paterson, New Jersey – stopped in traffic. Guernsey’s vehicle collided with the rear of the truck’s trailer.

Guernsey sustained critical injuries and was transported by emergency personnel to St. Francis Main in Tulsa. Jackson was not injured in the incident.

The southbound lanes of US-75 were temporarily closed from 6:18-7:25 p.m., totaling just over an hour of shutdown while responders worked to assist the injured and clear the wreckage.

Troopers confirmed that all individuals involved were wearing seatbelts, and no passengers were in either vehicle. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol’s Creek/Okmulgee detachment, including Trooper Hayden Vernon #841, responded to the scene.

Both incidents remain under active investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Further updates will be made available as the investigations proceed and more information becomes available from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.