Fatal accident under investigation in Bethel Acres, victim identified

Authorities are investigating an incident in Bethel Acres near Hardesty and Bethel Road.

Sunday, August 31st 2025, 10:13 pm

By: Graham Dowers, Victor Pozadas

BETHEL ACRES, Okla. -

UPDATE: 19-year-old dead after fatal crash in Pottawatomie County

Authorities say one man is dead after a fatal crash Sunday morning near Bethel Road just North of Hardesty Road in Pottawatomie County.

Police confirm 19-year-old Paden J. Thomas from Davis, Oklahoma, was driving on Bethel Road when around 6:26 a.m. his car swerved off the roadway and hit a tree just North of Hardesty Road.

Thomas was pronounced dead on scene according to Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and say he was fatally injured after he crashed.

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Authorities are investigating a fatal accident on Sunday near Hardesty and Bethel Road in Bethel Acres.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Bethel Acres Police, and Pottawatomie County deputies were on the scene.

This is a developing story.

Graham Dowers

Graham Dowers is a digital content producer for Griffin Media, with a background in linguistics, Russian studies, cybersecurity, and immigration law. He now produces digital content, drawing on global and local experience to tell impactful stories.