Published: February 02, 2009 05:02 pm      

2 men injured in separate wrecks over weekend

Stratford — A Paoli man was injured in a single vehicle accident near Stratford and an Ardmore man was injured in a separate accident near Wynnewood.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Daniel Arms said George D. Ashley, 51, Paoli, was driving a 2008 Nissan pickup west on State Highway 19 two miles west of Stratford when the accident occurred just before 11 a.m. Sunday.

Ashley attempted to pass another westbound vehicle, when he ran off the road and overcorrected, flipping the vehicle which landed upside down, according to Arms.

Ashley was partially ejected. He was pinned for 15 minutes before being freed by Pauls Valley firefighters using an airbag.

Ashley was flown by EagleMed to OU Presbyterian Hospital in Oklahoma City and admitted in serious condition with head, internal and leg injuries.

Arms said Ashley was not wearing a seat belt and based on his investigative opinion, the cause of the accident as “improper overtaking in a marked zone.”

Garvin County sheriff’s deputies, Stratford police, Stratford firefighters, Pauls Valley EMS and Stratford EMS also responded.

Authorities are saying alcohol contributed to a wreck two miles east of Wynnewood Saturday. OHP Trooper Tommy Riddle said 50-year-old Michael Nelson of Ardmore was driving a 1999 Chevrolet south and failed to make a curve on a county road just after 7:30 p.m. He ran off the road to the left and crashed into an embankment.

Nelson was pinned for 15 minutes before being freed by Wynnewood firefighters.

Nelson was taken by Pauls Valley EMS to Pauls Valley General Hospital, then taken to OU Medical Center and admitted with neck injuries.

Riddle listed his condition as stable.

A passenger in Nelson’s vehicle, Kelly Fogle, 29, Ardmore, was not injured. Based on his investigative opinion, Riddle listed the cause of the accident as “driving under the influence” and Nelson’s condition as “Drinking, ability impaired.”

Wynnewood police and Garvin County sheriff’s deputies also responded.