From the April 18, 1968 edition of the Cordell Beacon
Sergeant Saves Four from Burning Car
A Clinton-Sherman sergeant was credited with saving four people from almost certain injury following a fiery crash on Easter Sunday night, April 14, 1968.
According to Cordell Highway Patrol Trooper Louis Speck, the accident occurred around 10:00 p.m. at the intersection of Highways 44 and 152, approximately four miles south of Burns Flat.
Speck reported that Kathy Wilhelm, 44, of Altus, was traveling north on Highway 44 in a 1966 Ford Mustang at an excessive rate of speed and failed to observe the stop sign at Highway 152. When she reached the intersection, she applied the brakes, causing the vehicle to skid 123 feet before leaving the roadway and entering the east bar ditch.
The vehicle continued north in the ditch for 75 feet before overturning onto its top and returning to the roadway. It then slid an additional 150 feet on its roof, wearing holes through the top, before coming to rest on the highway, where it caught fire.
Sgt. Jerry E. Sutton, who was traveling in the area at the time, rushed to the scene and managed to open a door of the burning vehicle. He successfully removed all four occupants before the fire intensified. Miraculously, none of the passengers was injured.
Also in the vehicle were Herbert L. Bivens, 28, Alice Ann Wilhelm, 17, and an infant, all of Altus.
Damage to the car was estimated at $1,000, with the gas tank and trunk area destroyed by fire. A fire unit from Clinton-Sherman responded to extinguish the blaze.