Prosecutor: Driver in parade crash went around barricade
Associated Press
STILLWATER, Okla.
A woman accused of driving her car into a crowd of people at Oklahoma State University’s homecoming parade ran a red light, “purposely” went around a barricade and drove over a police motorcycle before crashing into the spectators, a prosecutor said Monday.
“The evidence suggests this was an intentional act, not an accident,” Payne County District Attorney Laura Thomas said in a public statement. The driver’s actions demonstrate “a depraved mind and indifference to human life.”
At a bail hearing, the district attorney told the judge that Adacia Chambers is “looking at four life sentences” if convicted in the deaths of four people who were hit.
Special District Judge Katherine Thomas granted the request for $1 million bail and ordered a psychological evaluation for Chambers, who is being held on preliminary counts of second-degree murder.
“This was a well-known parade day and route, and these innocents were visible from a substantial distance,” the district attorney said in the statement.
The suspect appeared at Monday’s hearing via video. The only time she spoke was to say “yes” when the judge asked if she could hear her.
Prosecutors asked for more time to interview the dozens of witnesses who were at the scene Saturday and said one of the injured is in a “fragile” state, which could lead to more charges.
In Oklahoma, second-degree murder charges are warranted when someone acts in a way that’s “imminently dangerous to another person” but does so without premeditation. Each count is punishable by at least 10 years in prison.
Chambers, 25, of Stillwater, has yet to be formally charged – a step that requires prosecutors to file additional documents in court.
The judge scheduled the next hearing for Nov. 13.
After the hearing, Chambers’ attorney, Tony Coleman, said when he told Chambers about the deaths, “her face was blank.” He said he was not sure Chambers is aware that she’s in jail. Chambers had yet to ask to see her parents or boyfriend.
Police are awaiting blood tests to determine whether she was impaired by drugs or alcohol.