Davis, OK (May 27, 2026) – Two people were killed in a collision on US Highway 77 at River Bottom Road, between Wynnewood and Davis in Murray County, on Tuesday, May 27, at around 10:45 a.m. All lanes of the highway were closed for approximately three hours following the wreck.
The two people who died were identified as Christopher Williams, 42, of Elmore City, and Heather Johle, 34, of Davis. Both were riding in a blue Hyundai when a white SUV struck the driver’s side of their vehicle, sending it into a ditch.
No information about the driver of the SUV or that vehicle’s occupants was included in the initial accident report.
Investigators are continuing to piece together what led to the collision, and further details are expected as the review progresses. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of Christopher Williams and Heather Johle.
What Typically Causes Side-Impact Crashes on Rural Oklahoma Highways?
Side-impact collisions, sometimes called T-bone crashes, occur when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another. On two-lane rural highways, these crashes often happen at intersections where one driver fails to yield, misjudges the speed of oncoming traffic, or runs a stop sign. The side of a vehicle offers far less structural protection than the front or rear, which is why these collisions tend to result in more serious outcomes for the occupants of the struck vehicle.
US Highway 77 in southern Oklahoma is a well-traveled route that connects several small communities and sees a mix of local and through traffic. As summer approaches and road activity increases, rural highway intersections with limited sight lines can become particularly hazardous for drivers who aren’t fully focused on cross traffic.
