Elderly Paden resident remains hospitalized with injuries suffered in wreck

Two elderly Paden residents were injured Saturday in eastern Pottawatomie County when their car collided head-on with a cement truck, and one of the victims was transported from the scene by air ambulance to an Oklahoma City hospital. The accident occurred about 3 p.m. less than two miles north of Interstate 40 on SH 99. According to an Oklahoma Highway Patrol report, Mack Curtis Fowler, 89, was traveling south on SH 99 in a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu. For an unknown reason, the car traveled left of center and collided head-on with a northbound 1998 Volvo cement truck driven by Cushing resident Jimmy Skinner. The OHP report said Fowler was pinned in the wreckage for about 30 minutes before being freed by Prague firefighters using the Hurst tool. Fowler was taken from the scene by air ambulance to OU Medical Center and was admitted in critical condition with arm, leg, head, trunk and internal and external injuries. No update on Fowler’s condition was available at press time Monday. The OHP report said Fowler’s passenger, 85-year-old Nila Fowler, suffered minor abrasions and was transported by ambulance to Unity Health Center, North Campus, Shawnee. She was treated for her injuries and released. Skinner, 46, refused treatment at the scene for a minor neck injury, the report said. OHP troopers were assisted at the scene by Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s office deputies. Prague and Strother firefighters responded to the accident, as well as REACT EMS crews.