WASHINGTON COUNTY — A Stilwell, Okla., man died Sunday evening following a one-vehicle accident in southwest Washington County.
Lonnie Junior Chumley, 26, was partially ejected and trapped under a Ford Ranger pickup driven by Charles Everett Whisenhunt, 26, also of Stilwell. Chumley was pronounced dead at the scene due to head trauma. He was the passenger in the truck.
The accident is still under investigation, but Sgt. Bret Hagan of the Washington County Sheriff's Office said Whisenhunt faces charges of either driving while intoxicated, negligent homicide or both.
According to a press release issued by the sheriff 's office, Whisenhunt was driving west on Salem Springs North Road and passed a vehicle dr iving the same direction. After returning to his side of the road, Whisenhunt lost control of the pickup and started sliding sideways. He hit the embankment on the south side of the road, and the truck went airborne, landing on the passenger side at approximately 5:41 p.m.
Whisenhunt was airlifted to Northwest Medical Center in Springdale where he remained late Monday afternoon.
News, Pages 3 on 08/25/2009