Dewey County, OK — A Woodward County EMS paramedic was killed Thursday afternoon in a collision on U.S. Highway 270 that also injured three others, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Troopers said 55-year-old Jeffery W. Jones of Moore was driving an ambulance eastbound on U.S. 270 around 3:15 p.m. near E770 Road when his vehicle crossed the centerline. Because of construction, westbound traffic had been diverted into the inside eastbound lane. The ambulance struck a westbound tractor-trailer and then rolled onto its passenger side, coming to rest in the roadway.
Jones died at the scene. Two passengers in the ambulance were injured but survived. Their names were not released. The truck driver, 45-year-old Michael R. Higgins of Englewood, Kansas, was also injured but not killed.
The crash forced the closure of the highway for just under 4 hours and 20 minutes as troopers investigated and crews cleared the wreckage.
Ambulance crews from across western and southwestern Oklahoma have been dispatched to Woodward to help cover calls while Woodward County EMS deals with the loss of personnel.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is leading the investigation. Next of kin have been notified.
