Ponca City resident injured in collision on US 60

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported that a personal injury collision occurred at about 3:00 a.m. on Saturday in the area of US 60 and North Q Street, approximately 7 miles west of Ponca City, OK in Kay County.

The patrol said the accident involved a 2009 Chevrolet Impala driven by Carol Yvonne Rutherford, 67, of Ponca City, OK. Rutherford was transported by Air Evac to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS where she was admitted in critical condition with internal trunk, external trunk, head, and arm injuries.

The Highway Patrol’s report stated that Rutherford’s vehicle was traveling east bound on US 60 when it gradually departed the roadway to the right and struck a dirt embankment in a construction zone. The vehicle left the roadway approximately 165 feet, causing it to roll and land on its top. Rutherford was pinned for approximately 3 hours and was extricated by the Ponca City Fire Department. The report notes that seatbelts were equipped in the vehicle, but not in use at the time of the collision. Airbags were equipped, but did not deploy. Rutherford’s condition was apparently normal. The cause of the collision is listed as inattention.

Investigated by Trooper Chris Vaughan #832 of the Kay / Noble County detachment of Troop K. Assisted by the Kay County Sheriffs Office, Ponca City EMS, Ponca City Fire Department, and Airevac.

This report is based upon the trooper’s investigation of this collision. It may contain the opinion of the trooper.