State wrecks claim three Oklahomans

From Staff Reports

Published: September 7, 2008

Two people died in accidents this morning in state wrecks, and a third died today from injuries sustained in a crash Monday, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Dead are:

Anthony J. Beaittie, 19, Oklahoma City.

Beaittie died at a hospital following a wreck on a Carter County highway, troopers said.

The wreck occurred about 12:50 a.m. on U.S. 70 just east of Ardmore, the patrol said. Beaittie was westbound in his pickup when he crossed the median and eastbound lanes, going into a broad slide on the far side of the road and rolling twice.

Beaittie was rushed to an Ardmore hospital, where he died about 11:05 a.m., the patrol said.

Troopers said Beaittie was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the pickup. The cause of the wreck has not been determined.

James Brent Berry, 54, Tahlequah.

Berry died at the scene of an accident on a Cherokee County road, troopers said.

The wreck occurred about 3:15 a.m. on County Road 540 southeast of Tahlequah, the patrol said. Berry was eastbound on the gravel road when his car failed to negotiate a curve, struck an embankment and rolled onto its top.

Troopers said Berry was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the car.

Loyd George Coats, 87, Watonga.

Coats died early this morning from injuries sustained in a Monday crash on a Blaine County highway, troopers said.

About 12:50 p.m. Monday, Coats failed to yield at a stop sign on a county road at U.S. 270 just west of his hometown, the patrol said. An oncoming pickup slammed into Coats’ pickup, pinning him inside for about 20 minutes.

Coats was rushed to an Oklahoma City hospital and died about 2:10 a.m. today, troopers said.

The driver of the other pickup, Brian Keith Goodnight, 21, of Watonga was not wearing a seat belt, and was treated for a head injury and released from a Watonga hospital, the patrol said. Three children riding in Goodnight’s pickup were all wearing seat belts or in child seats and were not hurt.

Troopers said Coats was wearing a seat belt.