A routine drive along a rural dam road in Coal County turned deadly Tuesday afternoon when a Coalgate man was trapped beneath his vehicle and drowned before rescuers could save him.
Emergency crews were called around 2 p.m. to a dam that crosses a pond, where troopers found a vehicle overturned and its driver pinned underneath in the water. Despite efforts to reach him, the man could not be revived at the scene.
According to the KOKH, investigators with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol say the vehicle rolled after crossing an unlevel, washed‑out section of the dam. The driver was identified as 63‑year‑old Tony Gibby of Coalgate, who became pinned under the vehicle and drowned.
Rural roads and rollover risk
Deadly wrecks on quiet country roads are more common than many drivers realize. IIHS data show that in 2024, 58% of motor‑vehicle crash deaths in Oklahoma occurred on rural roads, per the IIHS. That statewide pattern helps explain how a rough patch on a dam road can turn catastrophic, especially in a remote area where help takes longer to arrive.
Investigation ongoing
Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers are leading the investigation. Initial findings point to the washed‑out, unlevel section of the dam as the likely trigger for the rollover. The KOKH reports investigators say the vehicle rolled and landed on the driver. Authorities did not immediately release additional details about weather conditions or possible impairment. Troopers are expected to provide further updates as the probe continues.
Safety reminder
The National Weather Service repeatedly warns drivers not to take chances with damaged or flooded roadways, urging motorists to follow its “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” guidance. Only a few inches of moving water or a compromised road surface can sweep away a car or cause it to lose traction, per the National Weather Service. If you encounter a washed‑out dam crossing or any obviously hazardous road conditions, officials advise reporting it to local authorities and finding another route.
