Duke family remembering DOC Corporal and two daughters killed in crash
DUKE, Okla. (KFOR) — The family of Cpl. Landreth Emswiler and members of the Duke community are remembering three of their own that were tragically killed in a crash.
Emswiler was a Corporal at the Oklahoma State Reformatory in Granite. He began working with the agency in May 2021.
News 4 spoke with Shirley Ross, Cpl. Emswiler's sister-in-law.
She said, 'It's absolutely devastating for not only our family, but for the Duke community, for communities that Beverly and Landreth have been a part of.'
RELATED: ODOC Corporal and two daughters killed in crash
Cpl. Emswiler and his two daugthers, Carissa (17) and Elise (11) were killed Thursday afternoon in a head-on collision in Jackson County, about three miles from Duke.
Ross said after the crash happened, both vehicles caught fire.
'Once first responders did arrive to the scene, both Landreth and my two nieces were pronounced dead on scene,' said Ross.
Cpl. Emswiler was a father of four. His 8-year-old son Merrick survived the crash and was airlifted to Wichita Falls, TX before being transported to OU Children's Hospital.
Ross says Merrick has multiple neck fractures that require surgical intervention to stabilize.
His other daughter Sophia and wife Beverly were not in the car.
Ross says Cpl. Emswiler was a family man and lover of life. He also served in the U.S. Air Force.
'Landreth was committed to his family more than anything. Like he loved his children very, very much. All four of his children, he would do anything for any of them.'
His two daughters, Carissa and Elise had bright futures ahead of them.
Ross said Carissa was set to graduate high school this year. She was a lead actor in school drama and competed in regional art competitions.
Elise was a basketball player and cheerleader for Duke Elementary and a lover of animals. Ross said, 'She had a smile that could right up any room that she walked into.'
Their family is devastated, but thankful for the support of their community, near and far.
'It's been amazing being able to know that my sister and her family are so beloved by the community that they put their heart and soul into,' said Ross.
If you'd like to donate and help the Emswiler family, click here for their GoFundMe.
An account has also been set up at Farmers & Merchants Bank in Duke for the Emswiler family.
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