Police officer critical, crashed during pursuit

COMMERCE, Okla.Oklahoma Highway Patrol report that Saturday evening, November 19, 2022 just after 8 p.m. a police pursuit ended as the officer crashed north of Commerce, Okla.

Crash occurred on County Road S 560 near County Road E 30 in Ottawa County, Okla.

GOOGLE MAPS COUNTY ROAD S 560 AND COUNTY ROAD E 30. 

Vernon Moyer, 39, of Commerce was operating a 2018 Dodge Charger police cruiser. The Cause of Collision is described as, “Pursuit of fleeing vehicle, high rate of speed.”

Quapaw Nation EMS transported Moyer to a Joplin, Mo. hospital suffering critical injuries.

[Charger] was traveling north on County Road S 560 in pursuit of a vehicle he initiated a traffic stop with. Driver stated the brakes failed in his vehicle.  [Charger] departed the road to the right and crashed into a ditch.”  — Tpr Coleman Younger, OHP

Conditions during the crash event are listed as clear skies and dry roadway.

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Assisting agencies are listed in the preliminary report.

This is a breaking news story, stay with Joplin News First on KOAM News Now as we continue to learn more. Scroll below and sign up for our JLNews email alerts so you don’t miss a story or update.

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5th Wheeler fire closes I-44 in Ottawa Co. state OHP

OTTAWA COUNTY, Okla. – Thursday afternoon about 2 p.m. reports of an RV on fire on the Will Rogers Turnpike in NE Oklahoma about five miles from the Missouri line.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Bertram was on scene of the 5th wheel fire.  OHP states the delay in traffic took about two hours, as of 4 p.m. stating, “Debris has been swept off the roadway. Lanes are back open.”

There were no reported injuries.

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Although the cause of the fire is unknown in this case.  Here are some tips according to MotorBiscuit to keep your RV from burning to the ground.

Being out on the road in an RV can be liberating. Traveling to destinations of scenic beauty or historical significance can be a thrilling part of an adventure. But, just as any trip can be satisfying, it can also be more challenging. One of the ways to avoid some of the pitfalls that an RV can develop over time and miles is to take care of issues before they become problems. Specifically, to keep your RV from burning to the ground, add the following tips to your maintenance routine.

  • Check the RVs electrical system
  • Fluid leaks and hot exhausts do not mix
  • Keep charged fire extinguishers
  • Check or add a smoke alarm to your RV

Click here to read more on all points above from MotorBiscuit.

Stay with Joplin News First on KOAM News Now as we continue to follow news and stories where you live.  Scroll below and sign up for our JLNews email list so you don’t miss an article.

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Miami man crashes into concrete bridge railing near Wyandotte

OTTAWA COUNTY, Okla. — Early Sunday morning about 1:30 a.m. Oklahoma Highway Patrol say a Miami man was injured in a single vehicle crash near Wyandotte.

Devin Wilson, 22, was operating a 2017 Ford Fiesta  eastbound on OK-10C, 4/10 miles west of S 670 Rd, 5 miles north and 1.5 miles east of Wyandotte.

According to preliminary information from Tpr A. Gibe of OHP the crash occurred as the Ford, “departed the roadway to the right, striking a road sign, after striking the sign, [Ford] hit a concrete bridge rail. [Ford] went over the railing of the bridge and down into a ravine.”

| BODY OF MAN DISCOVERED BY HIGHWAY WORKERS >> Body found along I-44 in Ottawa County

Wilson was transported by Quapaw Nation EMS to Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Mo. OHP say he was admitted with serious injuries but was stable.

Road conditions were wet at the time.

The driver was wearing his seat belt.

Stay with Joplin News First on KOAM News Now as we continue to cover news where you live. Scroll below and sign up for our JLNews1st email list so you don’t miss an article. All images courtesy Chris Zumwalt, Midwest Emergency Photography, used with permission.

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Tractor trailer and pickup collide in Ottawa County, closing US-60

OTTAWA COUNTY, Mo. — Thursday morning at 7:40 a.m. a two-vehicle crash closed US-60 just inside Oklahoma as a tractor trailer crashed and a pickup directly in front of Indigo Sky Casino.

Eastern Shawnee Police, Wyandotte Fire and EMS responded.

Screenshot during crash incident shows traffic patterns and location in front of casino.Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper tells us on scene no one was injured in the crash.

The tractor trailer traveling westbound on US-60 took out about 150 feet of guardrail on the north side of the road.

Santa Fe Towing was summoned to remove the tractor trailer. Garner’s Wrecker removed the pickup.

Traffic was diverted as a fuel cell on the tractor trailer was ruptured and Wyandotte Fire contained the spill using booms.

Traffic resumed one lane about 9:15 a.m.  All traffic was released about 10:45 a.m. On the Missouri side Seneca Fire assisted in what trucks and vehicles could travel the detour roads which included some roads that were not truck routes.

This is a breaking news story, stay with Joplin News First on KOAM News Now as we continue to cover news where you live.

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I-44 Will Rogers Turnpike Tractor trailer crashes over median barrier

OTTAWA COUNTY, Okla. — Just before 4:00 p.m. reports near Miami of a tractor trailer laying over the median barrier near 318 mile marker.

A full response of Police,Fire and EMS were dispatched. Unknown what other vehicles are involved, if any. And there are no medical updates.

Limited information is that one lane is still moving on each side for now as the tractor and trailer lay across the middle wall.

We will update with more details as they become available from authorities.

Avoid the area as delays will last for hours. Traffic is already backed up for miles each direction.

 

 

Body of man recovered from waters at Twin Bridges State Park in Ottawa County, Okla.

OTTAWA COUNTY, Okla. — Thursday evening Grand River Dam Authority Police and water rescue teams were dispatched to Twin Bridges State Park boat ramp to investigate a drowning after a truck and trailer went in the water.

Now Saturday officers of GRDA say they, “recovered the body of a male this morning from the waters of Grand Lake, near the Twin Bridges State Park boat ramp. Officers made the recovery in approximately 27 feet of water.”

Recovery crews had been searching the water in that area since Thursday evening, after a pickup and trailer sank in the lake, about 20 yards off the end of the ramp.

ORIGINAL BREAKING NEWS STORY THURSDAY NIGHT >> Drowning at Twin Bridges State Park boat ramp

According witnesses, the pickup was backing down the ramp when it went into the water. The driver did not resurface.

GRDA continues, “crews were able to recover the pickup on Friday, however the driver was not inside.”

Next of kin have been notified however the name of the male is not released at this time.

This is a breaking news story, stay with JLN1st on KOAM News Now as we continue to learn more.

Miami, Okla. man found guilty of attacking man, paralyzing victim

TULSA, Okla. — A Miami, Okla. man was convicted Friday in federal court for paralyzing a fellow student when he picked him up and slammed him head-first onto the ground during a surprise attack in 2017, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

A federal jury found Jace Christian Williams, 23, guilty of Maiming in Indian Country. The defendant also opted to plead guilty just before closing arguments to the charge of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country.

“Jace Williams’ anger and ego led to an assault that paralyzed his victim. His conduct was intentional, violent and criminal,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “The FBI, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office and federal prosecutors are to be commended for their investigation and prosecution of this case.”

The victim and defendant knew one another and attended the same technical school in Afton. In the days leading up to the crime, Williams expressed anger toward the victim because he felt the victim had interfered and ruined Williams’ chances of having a sexual encounter with two women. The defendant shared his frustration with fellow classmates. Williams told one student that he was going to make sure the victim couldn’t “use his arms or legs for five months.”

On Nov. 3, 2017, another classmate drove Williams and two friends to watch a fight that was slated to happen between two different men at E. 200 Rd in Afton. The driver sat in his truck and scrolled through his phone after arriving. The victim and multiple other students also drove to the location to watch the fight. As the victim and other students assembled in a circle waiting for the fight to begin, multiple witnesses from different vantage points saw Williams suddenly approach the victim from behind in a surprise attack.

Before the victim could turn around, Williams wrapped his arms around the victim’s body, lifted him backward and slammed him head-first onto the ground. The maneuver was similar to what is commonly referred to as a “suplex.” Once the victim was on the ground then on his stomach, Williams proceeded to punch the victim in the back repeatedly then spat on him.

Soon after, Williams entered the truck, breathing heavily, and demanded the driver take him home. The driver testified that Williams ripped off his own shirt and bragged that what he had done to the victim was “fun” and that he wanted to do it again.

The FBI and Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Source: US Attorney Office Northern District of Oklahoma.