A tragic collision on Friday morning claimed the lives of a Minnesota couple in Atoka County. The incident occurred on US-69/OK-43E within the Stringtown city limits at approximately 9:30 AM.
According to the report by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Jamey Miller, a 2025 GMC Yukon driven by Charles E. Eidem, 78, of Alexandria, Minnesota, was traveling southbound on US-69. His passenger, identified as Carole Eidem, 78, also of Alexandria, Minnesota, was also fatally injured. Both individuals were pronounced deceased at the scene due to injuries sustained in the collision.
The second vehicle involved was a 2025 Peterbilt semitruck driven by Jeffrey Schwartz, 53, of Greenwood, Arkansas, who was traveling northbound on US-69. The investigation revealed that the Yukon, driven by Charles Eidem, veered left of the center line and struck the semi-truck.
Following the impact, the semi-truck departed the roadway to the right and overturned once. The Yukon continued southbound, subsequently caught fire, and was completely burned.
The driver of the semi-truck, Jeffrey Schwartz, was transported by Air Evac to Medical City Plano. He was admitted in stable condition and is expected to be treated and released.
The condition of the driver of the Yukon at the time of the collision was listed as unknown, while the driver of the semitruck was described as apparently normal. The cause of the collision is attributed to the Yukon traveling left of center.
Authorities confirmed that seat belts were equipped in both vehicles and were in use by all occupants. It is unknown if the airbags deployed in the Yukon, while airbags are not applicable to the semi-truck.
Weather conditions at the time of the collision were clear, and the roadway is described as a four-lane, undivided concrete surface. No individuals were reported as pinned or ejected from the vehicles. The DOT number for the semi-truck is 104269.
The collision remains under investigation by Trooper Jamey Miller #568 of the Atoka/Coal County detachment of Troop E.
