A recent retiree in Oklahoma died in a car crash after his vehicle collided with a group of ten feral hogs.
Roger Gregory Cummings, 63, was driving late Wednesday night in Stephens County when he encountered the animals. According to a collision report, Cummings swerved to avoid the pack, which caused his vehicle to enter a ditch and strike a fence. The car then rolled along the fence before overturning, ejecting Cummings from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol stated that Cummings was not wearing a seatbelt.
Cummings had recently celebrated his 40th wedding anniversary and retired from his job at Marlow Lumber Company in June, where he had worked for over four decades. Barbara Johnson, the owner of Marlow Lumber Company, described Cummings as "part of our family here" and expressed shock and sadness over his death.
Johnson speculated that the wreck may not have been discovered until later, as it occurred at night and off the main road. She noted that while encountering wildlife is common for those living outside city limits in Oklahoma, fatal incidents are rare. "People hit wildlife all the time, but we don't get fatalities often," she told the Daily Mail.
Feral swine have become a growing concern in Oklahoma, detected in 70 of the state's 77 counties, according to the Oklahoma Wildlife Department. These animals, often found in large groups called "sounders," are most common in southern Oklahoma and are typically most active at night.