WAGONER, Wagoner County, Okla., Nov. 8, 2026 — A 20-year-old man died early Saturday morning, November 7, in a head-on crash on State Highway 16 in Wagoner County. One other person was hurt.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol identified the man killed as Gage Scott Wood, 20, of Muskogee, and said his next of kin has been notified. Troopers said Wood was driving southbound on State Highway 16 near 40th Street East at about 3:07 a.m. on November 7 when his vehicle crossed the centerline and hit another vehicle head-on.
Wood was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle was not hurt. A passenger in that vehicle was taken to a hospital for treatment.
The crash remains under investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the person who died, and we wish the injured passenger a full recovery.
Intersection Crashes in Oklahoma
This fatal crash happened at State Highway 16 and 40th Street in Wagoner, OK. Our Oklahoma intersections page covers intersection crashes across Oklahoma.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does speed affect whether people survive a crash like this?
Higher speed increases the force of impact in a head-on collision, which raises the risk of serious or fatal injury even when both vehicles stay in their lanes until the moment of impact.
Why does seat belt use matter so much in head-on crashes?
A seat belt keeps an occupant positioned so that a vehicle's structure and airbags can absorb crash forces; unbelted occupants are far more likely to be thrown into the dashboard, windshield or out of the vehicle.
How do agencies investigate a fatal crash like this one?
Troopers or crash reconstruction specialists typically examine the scene, vehicle damage and road evidence, interview witnesses and surviving occupants, and review data from the vehicles to determine how the crash happened.
What should a family do after a loved one dies in a crash?
Families can request the official crash report from the investigating agency, which generally becomes available after the review is complete, and can contact the agency's public information office with questions about next steps.
