Tonkawa man killed, Newkirk man injured in vehicle collision

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported that a fatality collision occurred at about 1:31 p.m. Friday at the intersection of 13th Street and Hubbard Road, about 1 mile south of Blackwell, OK in Kay County.

The patrol said the accident involved a 1996 Dodge pickup driven by Charles Stewart (SIC), 49, of Tonkawa, OK. Stewart was transported by Survival Flight to St. Francis Medical Center in Tulsa, OK. He was pronounced dead by the medical staff at an indeterminate time due to head, trunk internal, trunk external, arm, and leg injuries.

The second vehicle involved was a 2014 Ford F-250 driven by Steven Bonifield (SIC), 61, of Newkirk, OK. Bonifield was transported by personal vehicle to Stillwater Medical Center in Stillwater, OK, where he was treated for head and trunk internal injuries, then released.

The Highway Patrol’s report stated that Stewart’s vehicle was travelling southbound on 13th Street. Bonifield’s vehicle was travelling eastbound on Hubbard Road. Stewart’s vehicle failed to yield at a stop sign and was struck by Bonifield’s vehicle. Stewart was ejected and pinned under his vehicle for approximately 20 minutes before being extricated by the Blackwell Fire Dept using the Hurst Tool. Seatbelts were reportedly equipped, but not in use in Stewart’s vehicle. In Bonifield’s vehicle the seatbelt status is listed as unknown. Airbags were equipped and deployed in both vehicles. The condition of both drivers at the time of the collision is under investigation. The cause of the collision is attributed to failure to yield from a stop sign.

Investigated by Trooper Beck #700 of Troop K. Assisted by Trooper Terrell #516 of Troop K, Trooper Stacy #889 of the Traffic Homicide Unit, The Blackwell Police Department, the Fort Oakland Police Department, Blackwell Fire, Tonkawa Fire, and Survival Flight.

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