Matthew Culwell Injured in Auto Accident on SH 1 in Murray County, OK
Murray County, OK — November 30, 2022, 40-year-old Matthew Culwell was injured in a traffic accident on State Highway 1 in Murray County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 12:05 p.m. along Highway 1, around a mile north of Hickory. Preliminary investigation suggests Culwell was northbound on the highway when he may have lost control for unknown reasons. His car crossed through the median and crashed into a 24-foot trailer attached to a pickup driven by 68-year-old Jeffery Earles.
Culwell suffered a leg injury in the collision and was taken to an area hospital. Earles was unhurt.
No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Matthew Culwell Accident in Murray County
People may see preliminary reports say the victim crossed left of center and think there's little else to know. However, so far they have no explanation for why the car went over the median. That detail could make a huge difference, and until it can be clarified it's best not to jump to conclusions or point fingers.
Many years in my chosen field have taught me how important it is to take preliminary reports with a grain or two of salt as the facts are still emerging. A crossover wreck caused by simple driver carelessness would be one thing, but if the car lost traction on wet or gravelly roads or had a serious malfunction that would be another.
Things like that are why I so often caution people to take preliminary reports with a grain or two of salt. I don't have inside information about what happened in Murray County, but experience has led me to view many "official" stories with a healthy dose of skepticism. Closer investigation by professionals with the time, tools, and training to do a more thorough job have often shown these wrecks to be far less one-sided then they were portrayed at first.
So could there be more to the story here? Maybe, maybe not. However, someone getting seriously hurt is more than enough reason to take another look and see if anything slipped through the cracks. Whether that confirms what police already know or reveals new information, getting the truth for those who need it is what matters.
