Press staff reports
TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — STILWELL – A Stilwell woman died Sunday morning following a crash on U.S. Highway 59 in Adair County that occurred at about 9:49.
According to a report from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Deborah Fay Bates, 52, died at the scene from massive head and trunk internal injuries.
Scott Dwaine Fisher, 45, of Westville, the driver of a second vehicle involved in the crash, was transported by Siloam Springs EMS to Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Ark., where he was admitted in good condition with leg and trunk internal injuries.
The OHP report states Bates was northbound on U.S. 59, in a construction zone, while Fisher was southbound. Bates’ vehicle crossed the center line to pass another vehicle, but failed to re-enter the correct lane of traffic, striking Fisher’s vehicle head-on.
Seat belts were in use by Bates and Fisher. Air bags were equipped and deployed in Bates’ vehicle, but were not equipped in Fisher’s.
Bates and Fisher were both pinned for approximately 20 minutes, and were freed by Siloam Springs, Ark., Fire and Rescue.
