A 77-year-old Wagoner man was killed Tuesday evening in a four-vehicle crash that resulted in multiple vehicles catching fire at the intersection of US-69 and SW 3rd Street, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
The collision occurred at approximately 5:55 p.m. on July 14, 2026.
According to the preliminary investigation, a vehicle driven by William Thornton, 77, of Wagoner, reportedly failed to yield from a stop sign and was struck by a southbound commercial vehicle traveling on US-69.
The impact pushed Thornton’s vehicle into a third vehicle that was waiting in the center turn lane of the four-lane highway. Debris from the collision then struck a fourth vehicle that was also stopped in the center turn lane behind the third vehicle.
Authorities said the first three vehicles involved in the crash became engulfed in flames.
Thornton sustained fatal injuries in the collision. Two passengers riding in his vehicle were also injured. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol confirmed that not all occupants in Thornton’s vehicle were wearing seat belts.
The driver of the commercial vehicle, a 43-year-old man from West Babylon, New York, was not injured. His passenger was also uninjured.
The driver of the third vehicle, a 33-year-old woman from Wagoner, sustained injuries. The driver of the fourth vehicle, a 53-year-old woman from Haskell, was not injured.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol notified the victim’s next of kin.
The crash remains under investigation.
Editor’s Note: Information released by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol is preliminary and was gathered during the early stages of the investigation. Details may change as the investigation continues.
