Bartlesville man dies in rollover accident

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. - A 34-year-old Bartlesville man died Thursday when he was thrown out of his pick-up truck when it left a roadway and rolled, according to police.

Bartlesville Police Chief Tom Holland told 2News the accident occurred at around 7:20 p.m. near the intersection of Silver Lake and Nowata Road.

He said police believe the driver had turned his pick-up onto the Nowata Road from Silver Lake and was climbing the hill toward U.S. Highway 75 when he drifted right and struck a curb. The driver then over-corrected, sending the truck across the westbound lane and off the edge of the road, over a steep embankment, causing the truck to roll.

“The driver who apparently was not wearing a seatbelt was thrown out and instantly. The passenger who did have a seatbelt was essentially uninjured,” said Holland.

This passenger, a woman whose name has not yet been released, was not sent to the hospital, he said.

Holland said at this time officials do not know the cause of the accident and are still investigating.

He added the name of the victim has not yet been release pending the notification of the man's next of kin.