Bizarre circumstances led authorities to believe the victim of a Sunday afternoon crash had fled the scene, unaware his body was on top of a carport throughout their investigation.
Floyd Steven Alsip’s body was discovered as Madill firefighters were leaving the South Pickens Road location after extricating two women pinned in the wreckage of a car that crashed into the carport at Kathy Christie’s home. A witness said firefighter Dennis Self looked back and spotted the body atop the carport as firefighters were leaving the location.
Officials and residents had searched the area for another accident victim after being advised there were three people in the vehicle.
Officials assumed the man fled when he was not found.
Authorities said Alsip was ejected 85 feet from the back seat of the 2006 Chevrolet Impala driven by Ramona Sue Perez, 47, of Ardmore. Highway Patrolman Colby Murray said Perez was driving west on South Pickens when she lost control and her car ran off the south side of the road. The vehicle rolled 3 1/4 times before hitting a tree and slamming into the corner of the carport.
Perez was transported to Marshall County Health Center in Madill. From there she was airlifted to Oklahoma City Presbyterian Hospital, where she was admitted in critical but stable condition with internal injuries.
Ramona Ross Griggs, 55, another passenger, was admitted to the Madill hospital. She was listed in good condition with arm injuries. Both women were pinned inside the vehicle approximately 20 minutes.
Alsip, 47, was pronounced dead at the scene by Medical Examiner investigator Leroy Johnson. Alsip and Griggs are also Ardmore residents.
Occupants at the Christie home were “shocked and surprised” by the crash, logged at 2:25 p.m. Witnesses described the impact as a “big boom,” attributing the noise to lightning.
Eddie Christie, a relative of the homeowner and a nurse, said the car did not hit the home but demolished the carport. He said Perez was conscious and asking for help and trying to get out of the car. He and others at the home talked with the women to help keep them calm until paramedics arrived.
An investigation is continuing to determine the cause of the crash. Murray said seat belts were used only by the driver and Griggs.
The trooper was assisted at the scene by Troop F Supervisor Lt. Allen Henry, and Troopers David Duggan, Josh O’Steen and Rodney Davis, Madill Fire Department and Marshall County EMS.
