STILWELL, Okla. (KFSM) — A multiple-vehicle accident that injured one driver caught two vehicles on fire and blocked Highway 59 in both directions in Oklahoma on Wednesday morning.
According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troop C, three vehicles were involved in an accident near the Cherry Tree community, about four miles south of Stilwell in Adair County.
Troopers say a 17-year-old Stilwell girl was driving a 1994 Geo Tracker northbound when she rear-ended a 2012 Dodge Durango driven by Ruby Pettite, 54, of Stilwell. The Tracker was then rear-ended by a 2013 Audi driven by Philip Chochran, 27, also of Stilwell.
The Tracker caught fire upon impact, and the fire spread to the Audi. The girl was pinned in her vehicle, troopers said, but passers-by managed to get her out before the Tracker was completely engulfed in flames.
Images from the scene later showed the Tracker completely burned to the frame and the Audi with fire damage to its front.
The girl was transported by First flight to Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa. She was admitted with injuries to her head, torso, arms and legs and was stable, troopers said.
Highway 59 was shut down in both directions at 7:46 a.m. when the accident occurred, troopers said. The southbound lane was reopened about 8:30 a.m., but the northbound lane remained closed while the accident scene was worked. Firefighters and troopers helped to direct traffic around the wreck.
The road was reopened completely about 12:15 p.m. Wednesday.
