Guthrie, OK :Four die in traffic accidents over holiday weekend on Saturday, July 4th 2015
Lance C. Merrill, 32, of Duncan
A Duncan man was killed after he was thrown from his motorcycle during a traffic accident Saturday, according to the state Highway Patrol. Lance C. Merrill, 32, was driving southbound on U.S. 81 near County Road 186 at 8:10 p.m. when his Yamaha motorcycle was struck by a Dodge pickup. Merrill was thrown 25 feet. He was pronounced dead at the scene.The cause of the wreck is still under investigation.
Elizabeth Miller, 50
A woman died late Saturday night when the motorcycle she was riding on was struck from behind near Guthrie, the state Highway Patrol reported. Elizabeth Miller, 50, was riding as a passenger on an Indian motorcycle driven by William Thames, 54, of Edmond, Saturday evening. The pair were sitting at a stop sign at the intersection of Douglas and Simmons just after 11:30 p.m. when the motorcycle was struck from behind by a 2003 Ford Taurus driven by Nathaniel Allen, 56, of Okmulgee.Allen came over the crest of a hill and did not stop in time to avoid the collision, according to police reports. A trooper concluded that Allen was following too closely, causing of the wreck.
Robert Williams, 32, of Elk City
An Elk City man died after rolling his vehicle near Sayre, according to police reports. The state Highway Patrol reported Robert Williams, 32, departed the roadway just before 7 p.m. Saturday in the westbound lane of Interstate 40 near mile marker 26. Williams first departed to the right of the roadway, over-corrected, and departed the left side of the interstate before rolling his vehicle.Williams and two juvenile passengers were ejected, according to police reports. A third infant juvenile was also in the vehicle. Williams was pronounced dead at the scene, and the two juveniles that were ejected were taken to a nearby hospital. One of the juveniles remains in critical condition, and the other was treated and released. The infant was not injured.The cause of the wreck is still under investigation.
Ray Manuel Barco, 30, of Elkhart, Kansas
A Kansas man died after laying over his motorcycle on Saturday night, the state Highway Patrol reported.Ray Manuel Barco, 30, of Elkhart, Kansas, was traveling southbound at 11:30 p.m. on State Highway 59 near County Road L in Texas County when he failed to negotiate a curve, according to police reports. Barco laid his bike over on the right side. He was pronounced dead at the scene.The cause of the wreck was traveling at unsafe speeds, according to a trooper's investigation.
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Four die in traffic accidents over holiday weekend