Tahlequah Daily Press

Local News

October 26, 2009

Man stable after semi truck crash

SALLISAW – A Mississippi man was listed in stable condition in a Fort Smith, Ark. hospital Thursday after a semi ran off the road on Interstate 40.

William Hamilton, 36, was taken initially to Sequoyah Memorial Hospital in Sallisaw and then moved to Sparks Hospital. Hamilton was a passenger in a 1999 Peterbilt driven by Debbe Reid, 49.

Reid refused treatment at the scene, Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports state.

Reports state the truck was headed west on I-40 in the inside lane when the vehicle hydroplaned and left the road to the left.

The truck went into the center median for 695 feet, and then re-entered the road on the eastbound side and traveled another 200 feet before overturning onto the driver’s side. It then went another 180 feet on its side before stopping and blocking the eastbound outside lane of travel.

The cause of the crash is listed as unsafe speed for a wet roadway. Hamilton was in the sleeping compartment when the crash occurred at 2:38 a.m.

The crash was investigated by OHP Trooper Danny Upton assisted by OHP Troopers Stan Roedenbeck and Shane Allen.

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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.
• Emergency personnel should be held to a higher standard. Since they are often driving faster than normal, they should not be allowed to use cell phones while driving, even if other citizens can.
• They should be allowed to use them like anyone else, but their host entities (hospitals, fire departments, cities, etc.) should carry extra insurance for this reason.
• Don't know.
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