Disliked headline on fatality accident story

Christine,

I am writing to express my displeasure of the headline in the October 6, 2019 paper, “Oilfield truck involved in quadruple fatality”.

Though I cannot argue with the accuracy (it was involved), I do take issue with the presentation.  This headline would lead most people to believe that the oilfield truck was the cause of the accident (It seems like they often are).  Since there are, as you know, a number of people who read headlines and not the articles, this would put a number of people out there thinking another oilfield truck caused a multiple fatality accident.  And in all honesty, if I had not known before reading the article that the SUV hit the trailer from behind, the first paragraph is written in such a way that some readers might infer that the truck hit the SUV (Observational bias).  I had to read that paragraph twice to be certain of what it said.

The oilfield has hundreds of trucks operating safely on the highways.  When they have a safety lapse, it is your duty to call them out on it and steps need to be taken to fix the problem (Like the Highway 33 safety corridor).  

But care also needs to be taken to fairly report accidents that, at least at this time, indicate that the truck was not at fault.  I am not saying a statement about fault was warranted; until the actual report comes out it was not.  But a clearer statement that the truck was hit from behind by the SUV was in order.

BTW:  Keep up the good work on the opinion page.  I especially like Walter Williams columns.  He has been a favorite of mine for years.

Steve Altman

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Okarche Lions say 'thanks'

Christine,

Thank you so much for your article about the Okarche Lions Club German Dinner.  The information was excellent and pictures made a great comparison.  We appreciate the support you and the Kingfisher Times & Free Press give the Okarche Lions Club.

Sincerely for the Okarche Lions Club,

Tom Schaefer - Secretary