Tahlequah Daily Press

January 20, 2009

Unsafe speed blamed for crash


TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — CHEWEY – Unsafe speed is listed as a cause of a Sunday night crash that sent a Westville man to the hospital.

Justin Alves, 20, suffered head and trunk internal injuries. Alves was driving a 2003 Dodge pickup east on Chewey Road at a high rate of speed and left 240 feet of “yaw marks” (left by a tire that is still rolling but is simultaneously sliding laterally) before running off the roadway to the right. The truck then traveled another 45 feet before re-entering and rolling. Alves, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected about 20 feet.

The crash was reported at 9:44 p.m. and investigated by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Tommy Mullins assisted by Adair County sheriff’s deputies and Chance Fire and Rescue.