The Oklahoma agency originally in pursuit called off the chase in minutes because of the grave danger to the public, while two different agencies later picked it back up.
Fatal high-speed pursuits in Oklahoma
Oklahoma ranks among the top 10 in the nation for rate of pursuit-related deaths. Throughout these stories, leading experts characterize the majority of these chases as unnecessary.
(8) updates to this series since Updated
JR Williams’ death spotlights a pursuit loophole in state crash reporting and demonstrates how chases can be unnecessary, not worth the risk, and create more public danger than safety.
Two agencies headquartered in the capital city reacted to growing chase deaths in opposite ways that might spur to action some lawmakers who have studied or regularly discussed pursuit issues.
In a state ranked 8th highest for pursuit-related deaths, traffic infractions or property crimes prompted the vast majority of chases — reasons not worth deaths or even pursuits, experts say.
The World and Lee focused on the 2016-2022 time frame because the newspaper began tracking and investigating Oklahoma Highway Patrol vehicle pursuits in 2016.
Throughout these stories, leading contemporary policing experts characterize the vast majority of these chases as unnecessary or not worth the risk.
In a state ranked 8th highest for pursuit-related deaths, traffic infractions or property crimes prompted the vast majority of chases reasons …
A Mannford, Oklahoma, officer claimed a Bristow mother tried to run him over with her car as she fled a traffic stop. The claim isn't supported by video evidence.