POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY, OK (KOKH) — A motorcycle crash at US-177 and Tucker Road early Thursday morning left one dead and another critically injured.
According to authorities, the incident occurred around 4:42 a.m. when a northbound 1998 Ford Explorer, driven by 30-year-old Wyatt Slaughter, collided with the trailer of a 2021 Ford F-350 driven by 32-year-old Ismael Moulaye Soumare.
Neither Slaughter nor Soumare sustained injuries in the initial collision. However, the Explorer subsequently struck a 2002 Honda GL1800 motorcycle, operated by 76-year-old James Michael Ray.
Ray was transported to OU Medical Center with trunk and head injuries and is currently in critical condition. His passenger, 56-year-old Janice Marie Olson, was also taken to the hospital but was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.
Witnesses reported that both Ray and Olson were ejected from the motorcycle upon impact. Authorities later confirmed that neither occupant was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is investigating the incident, and lane closures were reported as emergency responders worked at the scene. Further details regarding the investigation have not been released.