On Saturday April 22, 2023, a fatal collision occurred on US-77 at Home Road, approximately 4.25 miles north of Newkirk. Robert Dowell, a 31-year-old white male from Newkirk, was driving a 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle when he was hit by a 2009 Dodge Journey driven by Tina Sindorf, a 41-year-old white female from Wichita, Kansas. Dowell was transported by Newkirk EMS to AllianceHealth in Ponca City, Oklahoma, where he was pronounced dead due to head, trunk internal, trunk external, and leg injuries.
Sindorf and an 11-year-old juvenile passenger in her vehicle, were uninjured in the collision. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
According to the report from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Vehicle-1 (the Dodge Journey) crossed the center line for an unknown reason and swerved right, attempting to avoid Vehicle-2 (the Harley Davidson). However, Vehicle-2 ultimately struck Vehicle-1 on the driver’s side. The report indicates that Sindorf was wearing a seatbelt and airbags were deployed. Dowell, however, was not wearing a helmet.
The investigation was conducted with the assistance of several agencies, including the Kay County Sheriff’s Office, the Newkirk Police Department, the Newkirk Fire Department, and the Newkirk EMS. Trooper Stacy #889 was assisted by Trooper Byrd #676 of
