Families of Tishomingo teens killed in 2022 crash file wrongful death lawsuits against ODOT
The families of six teenage girls who were killed in a car crash are suing the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
On March 22, 2022, six Tishomingo high school girls died after a Peterbilt tractor-trailer hauling gravel collided with the students’ Chevrolet Spark at the intersection of U.S. 377 and State Highways 22 and 99. Previous reporting by The Oklahoman found the intersection was outdated and had a history of crashes.
The families of the students each filed an individual wrongful death lawsuit in Johnston County District Court, seeking more than $10,000 in civil relief. The petitions name the state of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, state Transportation Department Director Tim Gatz and state Transportation Department district engineer Ron Brown as defendants.
The lawsuits claim the intersection design was the cause of the students' deaths, court documents show.
Gatz and Brown filed a motion to dismiss, claiming the Oklahoma law governing tort claims does not allow state employees acting within the scope of their employment to be named as defendants in tort claims.
The six Tishomingo girls killed in a tragic accident
The victims of the deadly crash were Jessica Grace “Gracie” Machado, 15; Austin Daniella Holt, 15; Brooklyn Enae Triplett, 15; Madison Patience Michelle Robertson, 16; Addison Joe “AJ” Gratz, 17; and Memory Jade Billy Wilson, 17.
'We will forever remember': What family and friends had to say about each of the six Tishomingo girls killed in a deadly car crash.
They were remembered by Tishomingo High School teacher and yearbook sponsor Lindsay McCarter as a "girl tribe" that was different and "just so cool."
"They were the brave and bold teenagers I never was," McCarter said. "They lived, laughed, loved extremely, out loud and in vibrant colors. That is what set them apart from so many."
The obituary for one of the girls, Brooklyn Triplett, called the group of friends the "Tishomingo six" and said they lived "unapologetically and wholly."
"We can only one day hope to live a life so carefree, wonderous (sic), and fulfilled as they," the obituary reads.
How this Tishomingo intersection's design gave it a reputation
The 50 mph intersection joins State Highway 22 and U.S. 377 in far southern Oklahoma. It's the main route into Tishomingo from Interstate 35 and Ardmore in the west, and Madill from the south.
Its proximity to a nearby quarry means semi trucks loaded with rock frequently pass through.
James Brewer has owned a business facing the intersection for years, he told The Oklahoman in 2022.
"You've got to be careful. It's a dangerous intersection, in my personal opinion," Brewer said. "I've witnessed several accidents there, and three of them were fatalities."
According to the preliminary report as part of the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation, there were 10 crashes found in state Transportation Department and local law enforcement data at the same intersection between 2011 and 2021. Four were rear-end crashes and, like the Chevrolet Spark that March day, five involved a failure to yield for vehicles traveling east on SH 22.
Its triangle shape creates three intersections joining at highly acute angles. The design allows vehicles traveling in most directions to continue along their path without slowing down or turning sharply. Two directions of traffic are required to stop.
The design of the intersection met highway construction standards when it was built, but it's now decades out of date. Current traffic design standards that are accepted throughout the country hold that intersections should be at a 90-degree angle if possible, and no less than 75 degrees.
"We have quite a few of them across the state and they were mostly designed in the '50s and '60s. This particular intersection was designed in 1965 or before, and it's typical of intersections of that day," said Brian Taylor, chief engineer with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. "But remember, 70 years ago, the size of a big truck was the size of an F150 (pickup) today."
Tishomingo community bands together, shares stories of six girls
Days after the tragic accident, a vigil was held at the local high school football field in memory of the girls.
Six white crosses were signed at the vigil and later placed at the crash site.
Community leaders, pastors and the girls' friends shared remarks on the football field as the stands were full of mostly silent mourners.
One student, Lance Thompson, recalled Madison's affinity for platform shoes and her "sweet smile."
Memory was a "committed friend;" Gracie "led dance parties first thing in the morning;" Austin loved to spend time outdoors with her friends; Brooklyn was "passionate" about art and her friends fondly remembered her participation in the "Frozen" choir musical.
Meanwhile, AJ's friend, Brandon, said, "She was always there for me," and he grieved the fact that they would no longer have their dream of attending college together.
The school canceled classes most of the next week so that students could attend the girls' funerals.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Families of six Tishomingo teens killed in crash suing state, ODOT
