A three-car collision on U.S. Highway 77 south of Pauls Valley Sunday night resulted in injuries for young passengers in two of the vehicles.
According to an accident report from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Benjamin Rude, 40, of Pauls Valley was driving a GMC pickup northbound on U.S. 77 about a mile and a half south of Pauls Valley just after 9 p.m. Sunday. His vehicle was followed by a Ford Mustang driven by Melissa Rude, 40, also of Pauls Valley. As both vehicles slowed to turn into a private drive, the Mustang was hit from behind by a 2012 Chevrolet Impala driven by Kelsi Minnis, 22, of Pauls Valley, causing the Mustang to hit the GMC pickup.
A 16-year-old male passenger and a 6-year-old female passenger in the Mustang were transported by Pauls Valley EMS to OU Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. The 16-yearold was admitted in stable condition with head injuries, and the 6-year-old was admitted in stable condition with leg injuries.
A 3-year-old female passenger in Minnis’ vehicle was transported by EMS to Southern Plains Medical Center of Garvin County, where she was treated and released.
According to the accident report, the cause of the collision was determined to be inattention/distraction.
The accident was investigated by Trooper Michael Brown of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troop F, assisted by the Pauls Valley Fire Department.
