Accidents keep emergency crews busy; slows traffic

Senior staff writer

DURANT - Several automobile accidents happened Thursday, including one at Highway 69/75 and Choctaw Road where a semi plowed into the side of a pickup.

Durant police and fire departments and Bryan County EMS responded to the crash at approximately 10 a.m. According to a report by Durant Police Patrolman Chad Kirk, Randall Carroll McClure, 57, Durant, was crossing the highway from Choctaw Road when his pickup was struck by a northbound tractor-trailer rig that ran a red light.

McClure's pickup was hit on the driver side. He was pinned in his vehicle and freed by Durant firefighters who assisted Bryan County EMS with life-saving techniques, according to a fire department report.

McClure was taken to Texoma Medical Center, Denison, Texas, and is being treated for non-incapacitating head and trunk injuries, according to police.

The semi driver, Maria Ana Zilm, 39, Laredo, Texas, declined medical treatment. According to the report, she claimed the light was yellow when she was crossing the intersection, but three witnesses said it had turned red seconds before she drove through the intersection.

According to the report, witnesses said the semi driver changed lanes after a truck that was in front of her came to a stop.

Police closed the northbound lanes and rerouted traffic to South Ninth Avenue. Traffic backed up and another accident happened near the fairgrounds after one vehicle rearended another.

Durant firefighters were dispatched to another crash at 12:37 p.m. at U.S. Highway 70 and Rock House Road east of Bennington. Firefighters removed one occupant and assisted EMS.

A 17-year-old boy was hit by a pickup at approximately 10 p.m. after an argument in the 200 block of Wilson Street in Calera.

According to Calera Police Sgt. Timothy McEachern, the teen suffered contusions and a bruise on his thigh. He was treated and released at the Medical Center of Southeastern Oklahoma.

The driver fled the scene and drove back to Denison, Texas, according to police. McEachern said he has spoken with the suspect by telephone and an investigation is continuing, but it appears the driver intentionally hit the teen. Police have been given contradicting stories about the argument.