Elk City, OK – A 17-year-old Elk City High School student was killed and another teen seriously injured Saturday afternoon in a one-vehicle crash northwest of town, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Troopers said the crash happened around 12:45 p.m. at the intersection of County Roads 1100 and 1940 in Beckham County. A westbound vehicle failed to stop at the intersection, went airborne for about 118 feet, then landed on County Road 1940. The vehicle continued another 288 feet before leaving the road and rolling five times in a nearby field.
Both the driver and passenger were ejected. The Highway Patrol said the driver, a 17-year-old male from Elk City, was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger, also a juvenile, was seriously injured. Neither was wearing a seatbelt.
Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning said his deputies assisted at the scene but the investigation remains with Highway Patrol.
“So obviously it’s a Highway Patrol investigation, but just a horrible crash this weekend with tragic results,” Manning said. “We had an Elk City High School student killed and another one seriously injured in a one-car rollover northwest of town. My deputies assisted with it. I don’t know if the Highway Patrol’s finished their investigation yet, but I haven’t seen anything on possible cause or even who was driving. So it’s just a sad deal, and I’ve been praying for those families this weekend.”
Manning also noted the impact on Elk City students and staff as classes resume.
“Our prayers go out to them and just working through this tragic event this week that’s going to affect them for the year probably,” he said.
The investigation is ongoing.
