LeFlore County Accident Claims Life of Local Mena Man

BY MELANIE BUCK –

A Mena man lost his life in a car accident that occurred in LeFlore County, Oklahoma on Thursday, July 14, 2016. Joshua Abbott, age 37 of Mena, was a passenger in a 2002 Mitsubishi that rolled over three times during the course of the accident. Abbott was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene.

The driver and two juvenile passengers were either wearing seatbelts or in a child restraint and none of them were seriously injured.

Abbott’s wife, Shannon, said her nine-year old daughter, Charleigh, was able to escape the car and pull herself and baby brother, Justice, to safety following the tragic accident. Charleigh also searched for phones in the car, which she was unable to find, so she went to the highway and flagged down a car for help. “She kept herself together enough to tell them to call me at work and gave them my telephone number. She kept her brother safe. She tried to get help and save them all. It was too late for Josh unfortunately, but she did everything right,” said Shannon. “She’s my hero. She’s an amazing child. Everyone we know is proud of her, but she has been humble, acting like it was just the right thing to do.”

A memorial service will be held for Joshua Abbott at a later date with services entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena.

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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