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The entire Guthrie school system is mourning the death of two first-year school teachers who died tragically in an early morning wreck on Highway 33 in Payne County.
School teachers Heather Wilson and Jennifer Briggs were killed in an early morning vehicle accident.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol confirms Guthrie Public School teachers Jennifer Briggs, 24, and Heather Wilson, 27, were killed Monday morning at the scene due to multiple injuries.
The two-vehicle accident occurred at 7:14 a.m. on State Highway 33 west of Redlands Road (six miles west of Perkins).
Troopers say a 2010 Dodge van driven by Rocky Baca, 37, of Choctaw was eastbound in the westbound lane. Briggs, who was driving a 2012 Ford Focus, was driving in the westbound lane and attempted to swerve from the oncoming van by swerving left, but Baca also swerved causing both vehicles to collide in the eastbound lane.
The cause of the collision was declared “left of center.”
The teachers were carpooling to work from Stillwater.
Baca was airlifted from the scene by Eagle Med to OU Medical Center in serious condition.
The OHP report states all three victims were wearing seatbelts.
Briggs, who graduated from Oklahoma State University in May, served as a seventh grade English teacher and was in her first year of teaching after student-teaching at the Junior High last year.
Wilson, a 2009 graduate of Oklahoma State, taught eighth grade English at the school.
“This has hit our Junior High staff and students especially hard and we are thankful for the outpouring of support. These were two rising stars in education who in their short time touched many lives. I have spoken with the families of both teachers to offer our condolences and support. We will get through this tragedy but for now we are grieving our loss,” Superintendent Dr. Mike Simpson said.
“Please keep the families affected as well as the Junior High students and staff in your prayers.”
School counselors from across the district as well as members of the Langston University Counseling staff and members of the local ministerial alliance are on hand to assist staff members and students cope with the tragedy.
Counselors will also be available at the Junior High from 5 to 8 p.m. to assist staff members or students.
So very sad and tragic. Prayers for their family and loved ones. As well as the staff and students at the jr. hi.
Heather and Jennifer were two of my favorite students at OSU. My heart is breaking for their families, colleagues, and students.
I am saddened to hear of the loss of these 2 women, and hope that Baca recovers; but why does this whole area seem to have so many wrecks with fatalities? Hwy 18 that runs through Agra has some of the most reckless drivers I’ve ever seen in my life, and also semis that tear recklessly down that rd. I would love to see that rd. patrolled and thoughtless drivers pulled over. I worry about so many of our children driving around here.
I am so sorry for your lost. My heart goes out to the families, students, and all who knew these two lovely young ladies. I pray comfort to each of you.