By John Dobberstein, Editor
WAGONER — After enduring chemotherapy for a long period of time, Willie Thornton had recently told a friend he was cancer free. The celebration was short-lived, unfortunately, as the 77-year-old Wagoner man died in a horrific accident on U.S. Route 69 in Wagoner.
The Oklahoma State Police said Thornton, on July 15, failed to yield at a stop sign and pulled his pickup truck into the path of a southbound semi-tractor trailer. The semi’s cab, Thornton’s truck and a third vehicle became engulfed in flames. Other passengers in the vehicles involved managed to escape the wreck.
Many residents who live in or near Wagoner have taken to Facebook to flag what they feel is a potentially dangerous traffic situation at the intersection of Highway 69 and State Highway 51.
On Tuesday the Sentinel confirmed with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation that some safety improvements are planned for that area of Route 69, a heavily traveled route for commuters and commercial trucks, becomes Dewey Avenue in the city of Wagoner south of Highway 51. But there are no plans yet for a traffic light.
ODOT Spokesman T.J. Gerlach said a grant-funded sidewalk improvement project is being administered by ODOT on behalf of the city and is scheduled to let for bidding in November.
The work will start at SH-51/Cherokee St. and Polk Ave., extending west to Route 69/Dewey Ave. on both sides of SH-51. The intersection of Highway 51 and Route 69 will be improved to include ADA crossings with pedestrian buttons in all directions.
Continuing south, sidewalks will be added on both sides of US-69 from Highway 51 to SW 3rd St.
Between 3rd and 5th streets, a HAWK (High Intensity Activated Crosswalk) signal will be added to allow a safe crossing for pedestrians.
No plans for a traditional signal at this time, only the pedestrian HAWK signal. The city would have to initiate a request for one since all signals along state highways become property of and are maintained by the municipality they serve. Sometimes they will be included as part of significant corridor improvements, but even then it is done with the corresponding city’s agreement.
Currently, there are no traffic lights south of Highway 51 to slow traffic down or make turning movements safer until vehicles reach SW 15th Street, a mile from the accident scene. Businesses still have unfettered access to the highway.
Roy Timmons of Muskogee, who recently made an unsuccessful run for the Oklahoma House District 14, said he may spearhead a petition drive in support of safety improvements on that section of Dewey Avenue and then push the Wagoner City Council to request a traffic study of the corridor, a needed step with ODOT to justify the need for a traffic light.
Timmons said a resolution from the city, petitions and supporting data would carry more weight with ODOT to request a traffic light than just a petition.
Gerlach said there is no recent traffic study for that area and no plans for a traditional signal at this time, only the pedestrian HAWK signal. The city would have to initiate a request for a traffic signal, since all signals along state highways become property of and are maintained by the municipality.
Sometimes, Gerlach said, they will be included as part of significant corridor improvements, but even then it is done with the corresponding city’s agreement.
‘An Amazing Man’
Those who knew Thornton said he was a positive influence in their life and he will be missed.
Breonna Cooper said Thornton, her grandpa, would stop every Sunday after church to buy a newspaper and would surprise the grandchildren with a large Laffy Taffy that he hid inside the newspaper.
Willie and his late wife, Linda Baker-Thornton, both always made sure the grandchildren had clothes for the new school year.
“He always had candy or gum in his front shirt pocket and every kid knew that he always had candy or gum and they always knew where it was all the time,” Cooper recalled.
Haley Eddy, a real estate agent in Owasso, wasn’t family with Thornton but said she and her co-workers were very close to him.
“The last words (he) said to me were, ‘I love you, you’re like a kid to me,’” Eddy said in a Facebook post. “Will was so loved and he was an amazing man. Just Saturday he told me he found out he was cancer free and he had high hopes to get off chemo soon.”
Steve Goad said Thornton was his uncle and he loved the person Thornton was. “He lived next door to me for 4 years and was always giving my kids candy and they wanted to go see him all the time and just visit,” Goad recalled.
“They were all disappointed to hear that he passed. He will be missed by me and my kids. The thing that I get comfort from is knowing he’s with our Lord, without a doubt.”
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