A 7-year-old Tecumseh boy injured Tuesday, when the vehicle he was riding in rolled, has been released from the hospital. His father, the driver, was jailed on several complaints Wednesday, including driving under the influence.
Otes Hatton, 36, Tecumseh, was arrested as a result of the accident, said Tecumseh Police Lt. J.R. Kidney. Hatton was jailed at the Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center Wednesday on complaints of DUI, driving under suspension, transporting open containers of beer and liquor, child endangerment, spitting on a police officer and inattentive driving, jail rosters show. No formal charges have been filed.
The accident occurred about 7:27 p.m. at Bob Crouch and Gordon Cooper Drive.
A 2002 Dodge dually, driven by Joseph Darren Stafford, 45, Tecumseh, was westbound on Bob Crouch Drive and was stopped at the stop sign while waiting to make a turn, Kidney said.
The accident occurred when another westbound vehicle, a 1995 Pontiac Grand Am being driven by Hatton, came up behind the dually and didn’t stop in time, Kidney said. The Grand Am clipped the back of Stafford’s Dodge pickup, causing it to roll one and half times before coming to rest on its top, he said.
Hunter Hatton, 7, who is reportedly the driver’s son, was pinned in the vehicle, Kidney said, and Tecumseh firefighters freed the child without extrication. A Medi Flight helicopter responded to the area and transported the boy to OU Medical Center, Kidney said, where Hunter Hatton was treated for unspecified injuries. A hospital representative said Wednesday that the child had been discharged.
After the crash, Otes Hatton went by REACT EMS ambulance to Unity Heath Center with unknown injuries. Kidney said a blood kit test was taken because of a suspicion of driving while under the influence; Hatton was later arrested. This case will be referred to the district attorney’s office for consideration of any formal charges.
Stafford was not injured in the accident. Tecumseh Officer Joe McGirt worked the case.
———
Kim Morava may be reached at 214-3962 or kimberly.morava@news-star.com.
SHAWNEE, Okla. —
