The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has reported that five people were injured during the early morning hours of May 2 when two men lost control of their vehicles during an illegal street race in Payne County. Initial reports indicate that both men were impaired by alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash. A 22-year-old man and two 20-year-old women suffered severe head, neck and back injuries. A helicopter was called in to transport them to an Oklahoma City trauma center. A 19-year-old man and a 23-year-old man were less seriously injured and are expected to make full recoveries.
Both drivers reportedly ignored stop sign before accident
The accident took place in the vicinity of Fairground Road and Airport Road near Stillwater. Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers and rescue workers from the Stillwater Fire Department were dispatched to the scene at approximately 3:26 a.m. They arrived to find a Dodge Caliber sedan and a Chevrolet Malibu sedan at the foot of an embankment. Troopers determined that both vehicles had left the roadway after their drivers failed to stop at the intersection. Before striking the embankment, the Dodge and Chevrolet both left the roadway, struck a fence and crossed a creek. The Chevrolet rolled several times before coming to a rest on its left side. The Dodge also rolled over and was found resting on its front bumper.
The driver of the Chevrolet, his 20-year-old female passenger and a passenger in the Dodge were found pinned inside the badly damaged cars. Firefighters working to extract the trapped vehicle occupants were assisted by deputies from the Payne County Sheriff’s Department.
Reducing drunk driving penalties
The penalties for getting behind the wheel after drinking or using drugs are usually severe in Oklahoma, and this is especially true when impaired drivers cause accidents that injure their passengers or other road users. If you are facing DUI charges in Oklahoma, an experienced criminal defense attorney may seek to have the penalties you face reduced by citing mitigating factors during plea discussions. If the police officers involved did not have sufficient probable cause to pull your vehicle over or toxicology tests were performed incorrectly or with defective equipment, attorneys might seek to have the drunk driving charges against you dismissed.