Cape804
08-02-2005, 00:38
Two killed in weekend accident
By BOB SHERRILL
Herald Staff Writer
A Sapulpa police officer and his father, who was a passenger in the police unit, were killed in a single car accident about midnight Saturday night on New Sapulpa Road.
Patrolman Larry W. Cantrell, 34, and his father, Charles Cantrell, 59, both died from injuries received in the crash that occurred on New Sapulpa Road near the West 96 Street intersection, said Jim Wall, Sapulpa Chief of Police.
Wall said Charles Cantrell was an authorized passenger in the police cruiser and was taking part in a citizens ride along program.
Wall said Larry Cantrell was responding to a report of officers in foot pursuit of possible burglars at the Sapulpa Public Schools Service Center, located at Adams and Hobson.
He said a police video camera captured the accident, which is still under investigation.
Wall said it appeared a vehicle, driven by Nancy Gurno, 30, of Jenks, entered the West 96th Street intersection when she saw the lights from the southbound police cruiser.
He said Larry Cantrell swerved to the right to miss Gurno's vehicle and over corrected when the vehicle skidded.
The cruiser then spun and entered a deep ditch backward where the rear of the car struck an embankment and a culvert.
Wall said the impact was so sever that it drove the rear seat into the front area of the passenger compartment.
The chief said Larry Cantrell was ejected from the vehicle even though he was wearing a seatbelts.
Charles Cantrell was pronounced dead at the scene.
Larry Cantrell was taken to a Tulsa hospital by helicopter where he died a few hours later, Wall said.
Wall said all members of the department are taking the loss of Larry Cantrell very hard.
"We are a small department and we're all very close," he said. "This is just devastating -- just gut wrenching. My stomach is just in knots."
He said the accident is still under investigation and Gurno has not been arrested or charged.
"In fact she has been most cooperative and helpful," Wall said.
The chief said Gurno's auto had been impounded to study if the two vehicles made contact.
He said as part of a routine, Gurno was given a standard blood test but the results probably would not be available for a couple of weeks at best.
"The test is standard where there has been a death or serious injuries in a motor vehicle accident," he said.
Wall said Larry Cantrell was a 10-year veteran of the United States Navy and spent two years with the Vinita Police Department.
Larry Cantrell began his career with the Sapulpa Police Department in May 2004, Wall said.
Since then, Larry Cantrell has received three letters of commendation and one department commendation, he said.
Larry Cantrell also was a member of the Sapulpa Special Operations Team and was a bagpiper with the Tulsa Pipe and Bugle Corps.
The chief said he wanted to thank the Creek County and Tulsa County sheriff's departments for their help Saturday night and Sunday morning.
He said Creek County assisted in taking calls in Sapulpa and Tulsa deputies covered Town West for Sapulpa officers.
Wall said the Oklahoma Highway Patrol was outstanding in their assistance especially with the investigation.
By BOB SHERRILL
Herald Staff Writer
A Sapulpa police officer and his father, who was a passenger in the police unit, were killed in a single car accident about midnight Saturday night on New Sapulpa Road.
Patrolman Larry W. Cantrell, 34, and his father, Charles Cantrell, 59, both died from injuries received in the crash that occurred on New Sapulpa Road near the West 96 Street intersection, said Jim Wall, Sapulpa Chief of Police.
Wall said Charles Cantrell was an authorized passenger in the police cruiser and was taking part in a citizens ride along program.
Wall said Larry Cantrell was responding to a report of officers in foot pursuit of possible burglars at the Sapulpa Public Schools Service Center, located at Adams and Hobson.
He said a police video camera captured the accident, which is still under investigation.
Wall said it appeared a vehicle, driven by Nancy Gurno, 30, of Jenks, entered the West 96th Street intersection when she saw the lights from the southbound police cruiser.
He said Larry Cantrell swerved to the right to miss Gurno's vehicle and over corrected when the vehicle skidded.
The cruiser then spun and entered a deep ditch backward where the rear of the car struck an embankment and a culvert.
Wall said the impact was so sever that it drove the rear seat into the front area of the passenger compartment.
The chief said Larry Cantrell was ejected from the vehicle even though he was wearing a seatbelts.
Charles Cantrell was pronounced dead at the scene.
Larry Cantrell was taken to a Tulsa hospital by helicopter where he died a few hours later, Wall said.
Wall said all members of the department are taking the loss of Larry Cantrell very hard.
"We are a small department and we're all very close," he said. "This is just devastating -- just gut wrenching. My stomach is just in knots."
He said the accident is still under investigation and Gurno has not been arrested or charged.
"In fact she has been most cooperative and helpful," Wall said.
The chief said Gurno's auto had been impounded to study if the two vehicles made contact.
He said as part of a routine, Gurno was given a standard blood test but the results probably would not be available for a couple of weeks at best.
"The test is standard where there has been a death or serious injuries in a motor vehicle accident," he said.
Wall said Larry Cantrell was a 10-year veteran of the United States Navy and spent two years with the Vinita Police Department.
Larry Cantrell began his career with the Sapulpa Police Department in May 2004, Wall said.
Since then, Larry Cantrell has received three letters of commendation and one department commendation, he said.
Larry Cantrell also was a member of the Sapulpa Special Operations Team and was a bagpiper with the Tulsa Pipe and Bugle Corps.
The chief said he wanted to thank the Creek County and Tulsa County sheriff's departments for their help Saturday night and Sunday morning.
He said Creek County assisted in taking calls in Sapulpa and Tulsa deputies covered Town West for Sapulpa officers.
Wall said the Oklahoma Highway Patrol was outstanding in their assistance especially with the investigation.