theadanews.com - Ada, Oklahoma

Local News

October 6, 2011

Trucker may face charges in two deaths

Randy Mitchell City Editor The Ada News

Asher —  

A man authorities said caused a wreck that killed two reserve deputies could face serious charges.

Trooper Betsy Randolph, with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Public Affairs Office, said 33-year-old William Musser, of Burneyville, could face anything from being cited for making an improper U-turn to being charged with vehicular manslaughter or negligent homicide.

Pottawatomie County reserve sheriff’s deputies Mike Roberts, 45, of Konawa, and Tim Lowry, 56, also of Konawa, were killed when their patrol car slammed into the rear wheels of a semi truck driven by Musser just before 7 p.m last Friday.

Trooper George Moser said Musser was driving a 2007 Peterbilt east on state Highway 39 four miles west of Asher when he made a U-turn.

Randolph said the U-turn was in a no passing zone and the patrol car, driven west by Roberts, came over a hill just before impact. Randolph believes the setting sun and the fact the trailer was low to the ground, may have contributed to the crash.

Roberts, a father of five, and Lowry, a father of three, were killed instantly, Randolph said.

Randolph said a blood sample was taken from Musser — standard procedure with everyone involved in a wreck — to see if he was under the influence of intoxicants and results should be ready in about 30 days.

She said a report will be submitted to the district attorney’s office and charging decisions will be left to the district attorney.

Text Only
Local News