Paper cites increase in accidents by tribal casinos

Wednesday, December 16, 2009  

The Winfield Daily Courier is running a two-part series on accidents near three tribal casinos in Oklahoma.

The casinos -- operated by the Kaw Nation, the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and the Tonkawa Tribe -- are located on US 77, near the Kansas border. Since the first one opened in 2006, the number of accidents has tripled, the paper said.

"From 2002 to 2005, there were nine wrecks that left 17 people injured, including three fatalities," the paper reported. "From 2006 through October 2009, there have been 28 accidents and 34 injuries, including three fatalities."

The fire department in Newkirk has responded to 39 accidents in the past three and half years, the paper added. "We take a lot of calls in that area, and it seems to be getting worse," fire chief Jerry Evans told the paper.

The second part of the series will focus on efforts to improve safety conditions on the highway.

Get the Story:
Crashes mount near Okla. casinos (The Winfield Daily Courier 12/15)