Two men from Meeker have died in a head-on collision south of Meeker on SH 18, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported.
State Trooper Nathan Battershell identified the two men who died as Scott M. Howe, 56 and Caleb J. Barbour, 41.
The collision occurred at around 6:38 a.m., a tenth of a mile north of 1070 Road in Meeker in Lincoln County.
Howe was transported by REACT EMS to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Shawnee, then transferred to OU Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased by hospital staff from injuries sustained in the collision, the trooper stated.
Battershell said Barbour was pronounced deceased at the scene by REACT EMS from injuries sustained in the collision. He was taken by Alpha Omega Mortuary Service to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Oklahoma City.
The trooper reported that Howe was driving a 2015 Nissan Frontier southbound on SH 18 and Barbour was driving a 2009 Toyota Corolla northbound on SH 18. Battershell stated Howe’s vehicle crossed the center line and collided head-on with the car driven by Barbour.
Barbour was pinned for approximately 45 minutes before being extricated by the Shawnee Fire Department utilizing the Hurst tool, the trooper stated.
According to the report, the condition of both drivers at the time of the collision is under investigation.
Battershell said cause of the collision is still under investigation.
He reported both vehicles were equipped with seat belts but it’s unknown if they were in use. The airbags in both vehicles deployed, he stated.