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Infant Dies Following Collision In LeFlore County

LEFLORE COUNTY (KFSM) — An infant is dead following an accident that happened in LeFlore County Thursday night (Dec. 28). According to dispatchers, the ac...
leflore county wreck feature

LEFLORE COUNTY (KFSM) -- An infant is dead following an accident that happened in LeFlore County Thursday night (Dec. 28).

According to dispatchers, the accident happened at 6:52 p.m. on State Highway 112 about a third of a mile south of Pocola.

Troopers said a Chevrolet Malibu driven by Heather Schultz, 20, of Cameron and a Chevrolet truck driven by James Johnson, 25, of Arkoma were both driving southbound. Schultz was driving with Daniel Schultz, 19, also of Cameron, and 3-month-old girl, Kimberlynn Schultz. Johnson was driving alone.

Dispatchers said Schultz stopped on the highway to make a left turn onto Smith Loop when Johnson rear-ended Schultz's Malibu. The cause of the collision was reportedly caused by Johnson being distracted inside his vehicle.

The infant was taken to Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith and listed in critical condition with head and internal injuries. She was then taken by medical helicopter to Children's Hospital in Little Rock where she was later pronounced dead at 1:25 a.m. Friday (Dec. 29).

Heather and Daniel Schultz were also transported to Mercy Hospital where they were treated and later released. Johnson was not injured in the collision.

According to dispatchers, seat belts were being used in both vehicles.

"My heart goes out to them. I feel so bad for them and if there's anything I can do I would be more than willing to help them," said neighbor Tracy Young who lives off Highway 112 near where the collision happened.

Young said she sees accidents happen on this particular stretch of highway quite often.

"In the last year there has been several deadly. There's a lot of traffic that speeds. People turning into the Dollar Store, my driveway, the Catfish Barn. Traffic is just too fast through here."

According to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, a speed limit change study was conducted back in 2014 to reduce the speed. Officials said at the time, data did not support a speed limit reduction. Another speed limit change study is not currently in the works, but it could be if city leaders requested it.

To view the GoFundMe for the Schultz family, click here.

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