Tahlequah Daily Press

Crash Reports

December 29, 2008

Crash on U.S. 412 kills Choteau woman, injures Tahlequah woman

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — A two-car crash on U.S. Highway 412 Friday evening, just west of Chouteau in Mayes County, killed one woman and injured several other people.

Louise G. Smith, 80, of Chouteau, was pronounced dead at the scene from head and trunk internal injuries.

Marilyn G. Kaufman, 65, of Tahlequah, was a passenger in a second vehicle. She was transported by Mesta to St. John in Tulsa, treated and released with trunk internal injuries and in good condition.

According to a report from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Smith was northbound on a county road and attempted to cross 412, but failed to yield to the second vehicle, a 2002 Honda SUV driven by Dana M. Consalvi, 45, of Owasso. Consalvi’s vehicle struck Smith’s vehicle in the passenger side door, and both vehicles came to rest off the roadway. Consalvi was treated and released from St. John in good condition.

Five other passengers in Consalvi’s vehicle, including Sierra B. Rogers, 16; Cherokee Orsack, 1; Natlee Lord, 1; Christina Consalvi, 4; and Noah Consalvi, 3, all of Owasso, were treated and released at St. John with trunk internal injuries in good condition. The OHP says seat belts were in use by occupants of the vehicles. Air bags were equipped and deployed during the collision. The crash occurred at approximately 5:41 p.m. and was investigated by OHP Trooper Shawn Cummings of the Mayes County detachment. He was assisted by Lt. John Starling, Trooper Phil Bordwine, and Trooper Ferrell Perry.

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The use of cell phones while driving is increasingly becoming an issue. What do you think about cell phone use by emergency personnel, like law enforcement officers, EMTs, firemen, etc.?

• If the law allows the common citizen to use cell phones while driving, emergency personnel should be able to also.
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