A man and a two-year-old child were killed along I-35 in Edmond on Sunday afternoon following a three-vehicle accident. Two people from Guthrie were involved, but lucky for them they were able to avoid injury.
According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Philip John Hess, 43, of Oklahoma City and the small child were pronounced dead at the scene, which was a mile north of Covell Road, at 1:08 p.m.
Troopers say a 1999 Ford Expedition driven by David Stephen Blair II, 35, of Midwest City was northbound on I-35 at a high rate of speed when it departed the roadway to the left into the center barrier, crossing the cable and going northbound in the southbound lanes.
The Expedition then struck a 2016 Honda Pilot driven by Tandie Hastings, of Guthrie, and continued northbound and head on into a 2013 Chrysler Town and Country minivan killing both people inside.
Blair was admitted into OU Medical Center with critical injuries. His passenger was also admitted in critical condition with external and internal injuries.
Hastings, along with her daughter, Lexi Hastings, were not injured.
A resident of Guthrie says she saw the tragic accident unfold.
The driver (Blair) was headed northbound passing people on the inside lane, flew by us going very fast. Then they broke through the cable barriers and hit a car head on.”
Blair and his passenger, whose name is being withheld, were not wearing their seatbelt. All others involved were wearing their seatbelts and the child was secured by a front facing car seat.
The portion of the highway was shutdown for six hours and 22 minutes.
Troopers says the crash remains under investigation and the condition of the driver is also under investigation.
Heartbreaking. Praying for the families and communities facing losses and the victims of this horrible, avoidable, accident.
I agree with Tonya. Perfectly said!