Alcohol is thought to be a factor in a four-vehicle accident Friday night that sent one man to the hospital with serious injuries, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred around 9 p.m. on a popular stretch of U.S. 77 just south of the Native Lights and First Council casinos. Crash clean up closed a section of the road for a time.
Danny J. Scott, 53, Ark City, was the most seriously injured of four drivers involved. He was taken to an Ark City hospital and later transferred to Via Christi Hospital on St. Francis in Wichita.
Scott was listed in good condition Monday, according to a hospital spokesperson.
The accident occurred when a southbound Pontiac Grand Am operated by Trisha M. Bruce, 53, Newkirk, crossed the center line and struck a northbound Ford Crown Victoria driven by Robert K. Patrick, 79, Ark City. Patrick refused treatment at the scene.
Bruce’s vehicle struck Patrick’s car in the driver’s side door before hitting Scott’s Ford Escort head on, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Bruce then hit a third vehicle, a Honda Civic, driven by Tangy L. Melvin, 41, of Enid.
Melvin refused treatment at the scene. Bruce was taken to a hospital in Ponca City where she was treated and released.
A highway patrol trooper noted the odor of alcohol coming from the Bruce vehicle. She is facing a charge of driving under the influence, according to the highway patrol report.
All involved in the accident were wearing seat belts.