Kingfisher could be without its southernmost traffic signal for an extended period of time after an accident Sunday knocked out one of the poles.

“I’m not even sure I can put a time frame on it right now,” said Kingfisher Electric Superintendent Mark Gambill of the necessary repair and replacement process of the traffic pole at U.S. Highway 81 and Starlite Drive, just east of Walmart.

According to a report from the Kingfisher Police Department, a 2022 Peterbilt semi-truck was northbound on U.S. 81 at about 12:40 p.m.

The report said the semi, driven by Abelardo Cabrera Sanchez, 51, of Enid and owned by Dollar Farms LLC, failed to stop or brake at the red light upon approaching the intersection.

The truck struck a 2010 Ford F150 driven by Tasha Tankersley, 30, of Okarche, which was stopped at the red light, the report said.

After striking the pickup- truck, the semi left the roadway to the right, and struck the traffic pole that was stationed at the northeast corner of the intersection, causing the pole and signal to fall into the roadway.

Tankersley’s vehicle was pushed through the intersection and came to a rest near the grass median northwest of the point of contact.

The report said Tankersley was taken to Mercy Hospital Kingfisher for further treatment. No update on her condition was provided.

Cabrera Sanchez was evaluated at the scene by members of Kingfisher Fire Department and then flown by medical helicopter to OU Medical Center with a possible neck injury.

The report said Tankersley told Patrolman Matthew Hollon that she passed the semi-truck on U.S. 81 north of Okarche and it “was swerving all over the roadway.”

Hollon’s report said Kingfisher EMS informed him that Cabrera Sanchez’ blood sugar was 456 when tested after the accident.

It also stated Cabrera Sanchez had a valid Class D Oklahoma driver’s license, but his CDL status was expired due to his CDL medical certificate expiring April 11, 2023.

Traffic at the scene was able to move through the intersection within about an hour after the accident.

However, the intersection now contains a fourway stop sign due to the inoperable signal for northbound traffic.

Gambill said when the semi struck the pole, it broke off multiple bolts that anchored it to a concrete base.

That, he said, is what could extend the replacement time frame.

“Had the bolts not been broken off, we could have just set up a new one,” he said.

Gambill said a new concrete base will have to be poured for the new signal pole.

The city has contacted Midstate Traffic Control Inc. of Oklahoma City to get a bid for a new pole and then work with the involved insurance companies, he said.

“This could be a longterm deal,” he said.