Sapulpa High football player killed in crash
BY JERRY WOFFORD World Staff Writer
Friday, September 03, 2010
9/03/10 at 7:25 AM
A Sapulpa High School football player was killed in a single-vehicle accident Thursday evening.
Justin Fitzpatrick, 16, was pinned in the wreckage of a 2000 Ford F-150 pickup for nearly 2½ hours before Sapulpa firefighters were able to free him, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported.
Fitzpatrick, a junior, was the starting strong safety for the Sapulpa Chieftains, according to rosters. Sapulpa has its season opener Friday night at Ponca City.
According to the Highway Patrol, the pickup, driven by Dennis Eddleman, 17, also of Sapulpa, was southbound on 177th West Avenue at a high speed when the truck lost traction on the gravel and left the roadway about 5:15 p.m.
The pickup then reportedly struck a fence, rolled onto its side and struck a tree.
Fitzpatrick was pronounced dead at the scene. Eddleman was taken to St. John Medical Center in Tulsa with cuts to his head and arms, according to OHP.
Fitzpatrick and Eddleman were both wearing seat belts, troopers reported.
