Update [December 19, 2014]: Authorities recently confirmed that Shelby Howard died on Friday, December 19 after this accident from her injuries at a hospital.
Roland, OK — A woman was critically injured in an accident with a tractor-trailer in Roland, Oklahoma, on Friday, December 12, 2014. The accident took place on US 64, around 7:45 in the morning.
Police say that Shelby Howard was attempting tote change lanes while traveling east on 64 when she lost control of her pickup truck. She drove into the oncoming lanes of traffic and crashed a tractor-trailer being driven by Ernest Vandusseldorp, a 77-year old man from Hartman. Reports say she was ejected from her vehicle in the crash.
Howard suffered serious injuries and was taken to Sparks Regional Medical Center in critical condition. Vandusseldorp was also taken to Sparks with internal injuries.
Police are citing Howard’s speed as the reason for the accident.
Scene of the Accident
Commentary
The driver of the tractor-trailer was also hurt in this accident, and has very real concerns that need to be seen to. Often, someone will get into an accident and cause damage they don’t have the insurance to cover. Many of those accident will involve commercial vehicles, the way this one does. In those cases, it’s always smart for an injured party to check with their employer and see if they carry under-insured motorist coverage. That sort of coverage is designed to cover the gap between damage caused by an at-fault party and what their insurance will actually cover in an accident like this. Not all employers carry it, but it’s definitely worth looking into.
— Grossman Law Offices
