Edmond man killed, Florida man in critical condition following accident on I-35 near Blackwell

BLACKWELL — An Edmond man is dead and a Florida resident in critical condition following a fatality accident that occurred at 5:34 a.m. Sunday on I-35 near mile marker 221 near Blackwell.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports that Byron Richmond, 44, Edmond, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner.

Richmond was the driver of a 2014 Toyota Tundra that troopers say was traveling south in the northbound lanes of the Interstate.

Richmond’s vehicle reportedly collided head on with a 2021 Ford F-350 driven by Earl Hayden York, 23, Longwood, Florida.  York was airlifted to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kan. where he is listed in critical condition with head and internal trunk injuries. 

The impact of the two vehicles reportedly caused a 2022 Chevy Silverado, driven by David Boisvert, 54, Olathe, Kan., to impact the the passenger’s side of York’s vehicle.

A fourth vehicle, a 1997 Lincoln Town Car driven by Jose Hernandez, 47, Wichita, Kan., swerved in an attempt to avoid impact and in turn collided with the cable barrier. Neither Boisvert or Hernandez were injured.

Troopers report that the cause of the collision is under investigation but that they suspect Richmond was under the influence of alcohol. OHP reports that York was not wearing a seatbelt. Both northbound lanes of I-35 were closed from 5:40 a.m. until 10:28 a.m.

Investigated by Trooper Aaron Crompton #851 of the Kay and Noble county detachment of Troop K. Assisted by the Blackwell Police Department, Kay County Sheriff’s Office, Blackwell Fire Department, Blackwell EMS, Oklahoma State Medical Examiner, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, and Medi-Flight