An Oklahoma man had just retired after 40 years at a lumber company and celebrated his anniversary when he was killed by a pack of wild hogs

A recent collision between a vehicle and a group of feral hogs has resulted in a tragic loss in Oklahoma. 63-year-old Roger Gregory Cummings lost his life late Wednesday night after encountering a sounder of ten feral hogs while driving in Stephens County, located about 90 miles south of Oklahoma City.

According to the Daily Mail, Cummings was driving along Sand Hill Road when he spotted the animals in his path. In a split-second attempt to avoid the hogs, he swerved his car, causing it to veer off the road and into a ditch on the left side. According to a collision report, the vehicle eventually struck a fence. Cummings attempted to steer the car out of the ditch, but it continued to roll along the fence. He was then ejected from the car and was crushed as it finally stopped on its side.

Per the New York Post, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol confirmed Cummings was not wearing a seatbelt when the crash occurred. While the exact time of the collision remains uncertain, the vehicle was reportedly last seen at 11.30 PM. The wreckage remained hidden in the dark until the following morning.

A loss to the community

This event is particularly heartbreaking given that Cummings had recently hit some major life milestones. According to his obituary at Callaway-Smith-Cobb, Greg was born on August 4, 1963, and he spent his life as a dedicated member of the Marlow community. 

The obituary noted that Cummings married his wife, Sonya Sanders, on June 14, 1986, and the couple recently celebrated forty years together. In addition to his marriage anniversary, he had just retired from his position at Marlow Lumber Company this past June, after having worked there for 40 years. Another death that happened immediately after a milestone was that of Officer Fred Marsh, who drowned saving his fiancée, right after he proposed. 

According to the Daily Mail, Barbara Johnson, the owner of the lumber company, witnessed the ambulance heading to the scene herself. Since that happened at 9:30 AM the next morning, she speculated that that is when the wreckage was likely found. 

Johnson told the Daily Mail, “He was part of our family here. We are all shocked and saddened by the news and our thoughts are with his wife and son.” Johnson also noted that while it is common for locals living outside city limits to encounter wildlife on the roads, this specific type of fatality is rare. 

As she put it, “People hit wildlife all the time, but we don’t get fatalities often.” Sometimes, wildlife hits back too. Recently, a grandfather visiting Yellowstone had his own painful encounter with wildlife when he was mowed down and thrown into the air by an agitated bison.

Per the NY Post, the presence of feral hogs has become an increasing concern throughout the region. According to the Oklahoma Wildlife Department, these animals have been detected in 70 of the state’s 77 counties, with a higher concentration in the southern part of the state where this accident took place. These hogs are most active at night, which creates a significant hazard for drivers. 

The outlet noted that Wade Farrar, the Assistant Chief of Law Enforcement for the Oklahoma Wildlife Department, provided a statement regarding the issue. “Feral hogs are not considered wildlife in Oklahoma and are not protected by state or federal law.” He added, “We support shooting and trapping to reduce the population.”

Cummings’ obituary notes that he was a man who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and woodworking, always keeping himself busy with new projects. He is survived by his wife, Sonya, his son, Cody, and several siblings and extended family members. 

The investigation into the crash is still ongoing, and authorities may release further details as they become available. It’s a sobering reminder of the unpredictability of driving in rural areas, especially when interacting with local wildlife populations that continue to grow.