Marlow Man Killed After Hitting Wild Hogs in Stephens County

Marlow Man Killed After Hitting Wild Hogs on Stephens County Road

A Marlow man was killed after hitting wild hogs on a rural Stephens County road when his vehicle left the roadway and rolled multiple times, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Roger Gregory Cummings, 63, of Marlow, was driving west on Sandhill Road near Ward Road when authorities say he encountered a group of approximately 10 wild hogs between late Wednesday night, September 2, and early Thursday morning, September 3.

Investigators say Cummings attempted to avoid the animals before his vehicle left the roadway, traveled through a ditch and fence and entered a private field. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Marlow Man Killed After Hitting Wild Hogs in Stephens County

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Cummings was traveling westbound on Sandhill Road when his vehicle struck or encountered the group of wild hogs just east of Ward Road.

Evidence from the crash indicated Cummings attempted to steer to the right to avoid the animals, but the vehicle ultimately departed the roadway to the left.

The vehicle traveled through a ditch, crashed through a fence and continued into a private field before rolling multiple times.

OHP investigators say Cummings was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected during the rollover. The vehicle eventually came to rest on top of him.

Cummings was pronounced dead when emergency responders arrived.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol investigates fatal crashes across the state and regularly urges motorists and passengers to wear seat belts whenever a vehicle is moving.

Wild Hogs Create Driving Hazard on Rural Oklahoma Roads

The fatal crash highlights another danger associated with Oklahoma’s large feral hog population, particularly on rural roads after dark.

Wild hogs are highly active at night and can travel in groups, creating a serious hazard when they suddenly enter a roadway.

Unlike smaller animals, adult feral hogs can weigh well over 100 pounds. Encountering several animals at highway speeds can leave drivers with very little time to react.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation says feral hogs are present across much of Oklahoma and cause significant damage to agricultural land, wildlife habitat and other property.

Estimates have placed Oklahoma's wild hog population in the hundreds of thousands, with particularly significant populations across southern portions of the state.

Stephens County and surrounding areas of southern Oklahoma are among the places where motorists can encounter the animals along rural highways and county roads.

Drivers Urged to Use Caution When Animals Enter the Road

Wildlife appearing suddenly in the roadway can force a driver to make a split-second decision.

Safety officials generally encourage motorists traveling through areas with significant wildlife activity to reduce speed, remain alert and use extra caution after dark, when animals can be more difficult to see.

Seat belts are also particularly important in crashes where a vehicle leaves the roadway or rolls. Oklahoma law requires drivers and front-seat passengers to wear properly adjusted safety belts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says seat belts are one of the most effective protections against being ejected from a vehicle during a serious crash.

Drivers who encounter animals in the roadway should avoid overcorrecting or making sudden steering movements that could cause them to lose control, particularly at higher speeds or on rural roads with narrow shoulders.

Wednesday night’s crash remains a stark reminder of the unpredictable hazards Oklahoma drivers can encounter after dark.

Roger Gregory Cummings, 63, of Marlow, died at the scene following the crash on Sandhill Road in Stephens County.

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