Ice Storm Causes 5 Traffic Deaths, Power Outage In Oklahoma, Texas

January 27, 2009 1:30 a.m. EST

Oklahoma City, OK (AHN) - A severe winter storm on Monday caused road accidents that killed five people in Oklahoma and Texas and cut power to some 5,200 customers in the Sooner State.

Two people died in Oklahoma while three were killed in Texas, according to authorities.

In Chandler, Oklahoma, a truck driver skidded off an icy turnpike killing him. An accident on Interstate 44 near Afton killed another motorist.

In North Texas, a slippery overpass sent a vehicle crashing into an ambulance killing one person, Vernon Fire Department Chief Kent Smead said, according to the Associated Press.

Slippery roads also killed a 46-year-old motorist in Jasper County and a 39-year-old woman in Christian County when their respective cars smashed into a tree, the Missouri Highway Patrol said.

The Emergency Medical Services Authority responded to 30 accidents in Tulsa and more than 50 car accidents in Oklahoma City.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry placed 77 counties under a state of emergency.