Published: July 27, 2009 10:22 pm         

Deputy’s accident under investigation

An Oklahoma Highway Patrol investigation into an accident by a Garfield County Deputy Sheriff Saturday is expected to be complete Thursday, according to Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. Bradley Shepherd.

Deputy Greg Voth was investigating a report of a teen drinking party in the 23000 block of East Carrier Road when he began pursuit of a pickup that may have been involved in the parties. Due to dust on the roadway, Voth failed to negotiate a sharp turn on the road and crashed into Red Rock Creek. His vehicle was not discovered for several hours following the wreck.

Undersheriff Jerry Niles said there is poor radio reception in that area, and the deputy’s radio may have been damaged on impact because he could not contact anyone. Sheriff Bill Winchester said Monday three department vehicles are equipped with GPS systems, mostly inmate carriers, but Voth’s vehicle was not.

“We had a call in there were lot’s of vehicles in the area, but when he got there the vehicles had left, but there was a bonfire which he put out,” Niles said. “We get four or five reports a year of this location, that kids from Garber and Billings hold parties there.”

Shepherd said OHP Trooper Cottrill is investigating the incident. Cottrill was not on duty Monday. The OHP also is investigating a wrecked pickup which partially matches the description of the pickup that was being pursued by Voth, but it still is unknown if it is the same one. That will be included in the OHP investigation.

Sheriff’s deputies began searching for Voth about when the dispatcher notified Niles that Voth had called in after 3 a.m. and was groggy and had been involved in a crash. They found him between 8:30 and 9 a.m.

Niles said previously Voth had driven off a 30-foot embankment into Red Rock Creek when he failed to negotiate the turn. Niles said the turn is not marked, and after dark if there is any dust on the road, it would be difficult to see.

Voth was found when a motorist contacted the sheriff’s office reporting the discovery of Voth’s cruiser in the creek. He was taken to St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center for treatment.