(Update) Wellington man found dead after driving black Mustang into Slate Creek at Woods Park
Location of accident.
Updated: Monday, 2 p.m. — Ralph Lee Pingry, 42, of Wellington has been identified as the victim of the Woods Park accident Sunday morning.
The following is a statement from Wellington Police Chief Tracy Heath in a press release:
“Upon arrival, EMS personnel entered the water and subsequently removed one adult male from the vehicle. Once on shore, it was discovered this male was not breathing and later pronounced deceased at the scene. Strickland Tow Service responded and after removing the vehicle from the water, described as a black colored 2014 Ford Mustang, evidence from the vehicle as well as the scene, Officers suspects the vehicle was travelling westbound through Woods Park at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control, left the roadway striking a metal post and flipping upside down when entering the water. “
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Sumner Newscow report — There was a fatality accident on Sunday morning, between 3 and 8 a.m., on the west side of Wood Park, south of the railroad trestle in Wellington.
A 42-year-old Wellington man was pronounced dead on the scene after apparently driving his 2014 Black Ford Mustang into Slate Creek. The name will be released soon, pending the notification of the full family.
According to Wellington Police Chief Tracy Heath, the victim was driving westbound at a considerable speed on the Wood Park blacktop south of the trestle when he failed to navigate a curve that turned into a dirt road going north to the golf course. He lost control of the Mustang, which slid into the lake and flipped upside down, resting on its top.
Heath said the victim had spoken to a family member around 3 a.m. The body was recovered at 8 a.m. Authorities did not know how long he had been submerged in the water before being discovered at 8 a.m. He did not know if alcohol was involved.
