Bandera man dies in Oklahoma boating accident

A Bandera man is dead and his wife hospitalized following a boat collision last Thursday night on Broken Bow Lake in Oklahoma.

According to a report from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the collision happened around 9 p.m. Aug. 3 in McCurtain County, which is in the southeastern corner of the state.

The report said a 2013 Tahoe boat belonging to 59-year-old Bandera residents, Stephen and Julie Malone, was adrift in the lake and not in operation when another boat, a 2022 Skeeter with two Oklahoma men, collided with Hadley’s vessel.

The Skeeter, operated by 33-year-old Stephen Hadley and carrying 28-year-old Floyd Collins, struck the Tahoe on the port side and continued going over the boat.

Stephen Malone was struck, and Hadley was ejected into the lake. He was pronounced deceased at the scene from injuries sustained during the collision.

Julie Malone was flown to Medical City Plano Hospital in Texas. The report said she was in stable condition with neck, trunk internal and external injuries.

Hadley and Collins were transported by personal vehicle to a McCurtain Memorial Hospital in Oklahoma. Both were given wellness checks, treated and released.

According to Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the incident was investigated by Trooper Jay Reich #839, of the Marine Enforcement Division of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Assistance was provided by Trooper Garrett Schulze #765, Trooper Timothy Kirk #617, Army Corps of Engineers, Oklahoma State Park Rangers, Broken Bow Fire Department, Hochatown Fire Department, McCurtain County EMS, and McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office.