Three locals injured in head-on crash with drunk driver

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July 21, 2009

By TEDDYE SNELL The Tahlequah Daily Press Tue Jul 21, 2009, 02:44 PM CDT

Three Welling residents were injured by a drunk driver in a head-on collision east of Tahlequah near Welling Friday evening.

A report from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol states Thomas J. Caldwell, 50, of Welling was driving his 1992 GMC truck south on Welling Road when Jonathan Schinkoeph, 23, of Tulsa, crossed the center line with his 2007 Dodge truck while driving north on the same road. Schinkoeph’s truck hit Caldwell’s truck head-on, and both trucks ended up on the right side of the road. The report states the cause of the crash as DUI by Schinkoeph.

Caldwell was treated and released from Tahlequah City Hospital with trunk internal injuries, as well as leg and head injuries. His passengers, Tina Caldwell, 49, and Ryan Caldwell, 14, both sustained injuries.

Ryan was transported to Tahlequah City Hospital, where he was treated and released with head and arm injuries. Tina was transported by EagleMed to OSU Tulsa, and was listed in stable condition with leg, arm and head injuries.

Schinkoeph and his passenger, Des Leon Scifried, 26, of Eufuala, both refused treatment at the scene.

The OHP report states all parties were wearing seatbelts. The crash was investigated by OHP Trooper Zach Woods, and assisted by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department, the Welling Fire Department, Tahlequah City EMS and Cherokee Nation EMS.

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Last year, Cherokee County was hit with severe snowstorms in the winter, followed by devastating floods in the spring. What have you done to protect your property, in case it happens again?

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Three locals injured in head-on crash with drunk driver

Last year, Cherokee County was hit with severe snowstorms in the winter, followed by devastating floods in the spring. What have you done to protect your property, in case it happens again?

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