OHP: Overnight crash claims life of Tecumseh man
The Shawnee News-Star
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports a Tecumseh man was killed in a crash early Friday in Pottawatomie County.
The crash occurred about 1:16 a.m. on Hardesty Road, about one-third mile east of Bethel Road and one mile south and four miles west of Shawnee.
The patrol s report says Brent Sparks, 61, Tecumseh, died at the scene from injuries suffered in that crash.
Troopers said Sparks was driving a 2007 Chevy Silverado eastbound on Hardesty Road when the pickup departed the roadway to the right and struck a tree. OHP reports the driver was pinned for approximately 30 minutes and was freed using by the Bethel Acres Fire Department and Shawnee Fire Department using the Hurst tool.
Pottawatomie County authorities searching for stolen UTV, trailer
Image of the stolen UTV and trailer. (Courtesy Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office)
The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the recent theft of a van, a trailer and a UTV in rural Wamego.
Deputies were dispatched Monday for the theft of a white 2001 GMC G2500 van, with an attached flatbed trailer that was hauling a 2008 Polaris model black UTV. It’s believed the theft occurred sometime around 6 a.m. Monday in the 4600 block of K-99.
The van was recovered later Monday in Jackson County by the Potawatomi Tribal Police. The trailer and UTV are still missing.
News-Star/Patriot Auto Group Car Finalists: Benn, Sturgill
Student of the Month: Meeker High School senior Conner Benn
Senior Conner Benn is a leader at Meeker High School and maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA.
He has been selected as one of The Shawnee News-Star and Patriot Auto Group Students of the Month for February and is now in the running to win a car.
“Conner Benn is the epitome of the model student,” Meeker High School Counselor John Bolander said. “His commitment to serving and helping others is exceptional for a student as active as he is in the community and school.”
OHP reports injuries in two Pott. County accidents
The Shawnee News-Star
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is reporting several injuries from two separate accidents that occurred in Pottawatomie County on Monday.
One of those occurred at 7:46 p.m. Monday evening at SH 9 and SH 102, about 1.5 miles south and one mile east of Pink.
The OHP reports a 2010 GMC Yukon being driven by Charity Mae Spearman-Kight, 45, Tecumseh, made a left-hand turn northbound onto SH 102.
At the same time, a 2009 Chevrolet HHR driven by Richard L. Hussfeldt, 70, Blanchard, was westbound on SH 9 and struck the turning vehicle, the patrol said.
Troopers noted Spearman-Kight was pinned about 20 minutes before being extricated by Pink firefighters using the Hurst tool.
Kim Morava - The Shawnee News-Star - USA Today Network
Six years ago this month, along Interstate 40 east of Shawnee, a distracted driver struck and killed Trooper Nicholas Dees while he investigated an accident scene.
In the years since that tragedy, what happened that night has prompted more awareness about distracted driving, including presentations at high schools locally and across the state, as well as passage of a new state law.
And through the end of this month, as a way to honor Trooper Dees, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and partnering agencies are conducting special emphasis enforcement campaigns focusing on distracted driving violations or signs of inattentive driving.