A tragic multi-vehicle collision on State Highway 33 near Perkins claimed the lives of two people and left another critically injured on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP). The accident, involving three vehicles, occurred around 4:15 p.m. at the intersection of State Highway 33 and Range Road.
Preliminary reports from OHP revealed that the crash began when a Nissan Juke, traveling eastbound, crossed the center line into oncoming traffic. The vehicle first collided with a westbound box truck and then struck a Mitsubishi Outlander. The force of the impacts left both passenger vehicles severely damaged.
The drivers of the Nissan Juke and the Mitsubishi Outlander were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities identified the Nissan’s driver as 19-year-old Kiowa Tate of Cushing and the Mitsubishi’s driver as 36-year-old Tuseef Cheema of Edmond. A passenger in the Nissan Juke sustained critical injuries and was transported to a hospital in Stillwater for emergency treatment. The driver of the box truck was unharmed and remained at the scene to cooperate with investigators.
State Highway 33 was closed for several hours as emergency responders and investigators worked to clear the wreckage and gather evidence. OHP troopers are still investigating the events leading up to the collision, focusing on determining why the Nissan Juke crossed into the westbound lane. They have not yet released further details about potential contributing factors such as speed, distractions, or road conditions.
Crashes involving multiple vehicles often highlight the dangers of head-on collisions, which frequently result in severe injuries or fatalities. This incident underscores the importance of staying alert on highways, particularly on stretches with narrow or undivided lanes. The exact cause of the crash will likely take time to uncover as investigators review evidence and witness accounts.
The tragic loss of Tate and Cheema has left their respective communities grieving, with family and friends mourning the sudden loss of their loved ones. As the passenger in the Nissan Juke fights for recovery, the focus remains on supporting the victims’ families and ensuring that the investigation brings clarity and, ultimately, lessons that can help prevent future tragedies.
