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October 16, 2012

Victim identified in fatal crash

By Jessica Bruha The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — Deputy fire chief: Retired fire captain was heading home

Retired Norman Fire Captain Billy Tompkins, 69, was identified as the victim of a single-vehicle, fatal accident Saturday morning on Southeast 60th Avenue.

Police responded to the call just after 11 a.m., where they found Tompkins in the vehicle with massive injuries. Representatives of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner took custody of Tompkins’ body at the scene.

According to the preliminary collision report, Tompkins’ Chevrolet pickup left the roadway and collided with a tree.

Norman Deputy Fire Chief Jim Bailey said Tompkins was on his way home after an annual retired firemen’s breakfast earlier that morning.

“He had just spent the morning with us,” Bailey said.

The breakfast was at Fire Station No. 8. Bailey said the accident occurred near the retired captain’s home.

Tompkins was with the Norman Fire Department for 21 years.

“He was well thought of and well loved by the firefighters,” Bailey said. “There wasn’t anyone that I knew of that ever had any problems with him. He was a great team builder with the guys.”

According to an accident report, Tompkins’ truck slid off the roadway and initially struck what was described as a buried cable sign before striking a tree. The pickup collided with the tree on the driver’s side.

Police said the investigation is still incomplete. Weather conditions Saturday morning were rainy, but it has not been determined what caused the accident.

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