In one of the two roll-over accidents within the City limits this weekend, Altus Police responded to a one-vehicle roll over traffic accident in the 2100 block of East Broadway at approximately 4:46 p.m. on Friday, June 22. A 2002 Dodge pick-up, driven by T.J. Johnson, 75, of Altus, was west-bound on East Broadway when he stated he “blacked out”. The vehicle crossed over into the east-bound lanes and struck a light pole in front of Altus Motor Sports. The vehicle then overturned. The driver was taken to Jackson County Memorial Hospital by EMS. A passenger in the vehicle, Rosetta Johnson, 40, of Altus, was not injured. Other damage to property from the accident included a trailer, jet ski and pick-up that were parked in the parking lot of Altus Motor Sports. No other injuries were reported.
In the second roll-over accident, Chief Murphy said, “An accident that was reported on Saturday, June 23, at approximately 8:50 a.m., sent an Altus woman to O.U. medical center by mediflight. Stephanie Cortez, 25, was driving a 2004 Lincoln Aviator west-bound in approximately the 2000 block of East Tamarack when for an unknown reason the vehicle struck the North curb.” Chief Murphy continued, “The driver over-corrected the vehicle at which time the vehicle went into a broad-slide across the roadway then rolled. The driver was ejected from the vehicle in the east- bound lane of traffic. The vehicle came to rest on the south side of the roadway.” The condition of the driver was not known by press time. The investigation into this traffic accident continues.