Latest news with #Can-AmDefender
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
DUI charge dropped in Commerce student's death
MIAMI, Okla. —An Ottawa County prosecutor confirmed on Thursday that a driving under the influence charge related to the death of 10-year-old Commerce elementary student, Easton Freeman, was dropped. Douglas Gray, 67, of Miami, was operating a 2018 Can-Am Defender, a side-by-side UTV, when the child, who was running alongside the UTV, slipped in mud and fell into the road. The arrest warrant states that Kaytelin Freeman, the child's mother, told investigators that when the child fell, 'he was struck by the side-by-side.' Gray refused to submit to a breath analysis or give a blood sample when officers made the request, according to an arrest affidavit. He was initially arrested on a first-degree manslaughter complaint and later charged with a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence. 'Charges were dismissed while we wait on the completed investigative report,' said prosecutor Kathy Lahmeyer. 'The case will be reviewed when we receive the report to determine the most appropriate charge.' At the time of the incident, District Attorney Doug Pewitt called the child's death 'an unfortunate accident.' Gray told investigators he had been drinking 'Pepsi and Canadian Mist' whiskey, a couple of hours before the crash, and consumed his last drink at the time of the incident. Several fundraisers have been set up to help defray funeral-related costs, including a GoFundMe account. Easton attended Alexander Elementary School in Commerce and is the grandson of Ottawa County Sheriff David Dean. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Yahoo
Miami man charged with DUI in death of northeast Oklahoma boy
MIAMI, Okla. — A Miami man is charged with driving under the influence in the death of a 10-year-old Commerce elementary student. Court records filed Thursday in Ottawa County District Court, say Douglas Gray refused to submit to a breath analysis or give a blood sample when officers made the request. That request came from law enforcement officials who were investigating a report about a utility vehicle running over a child. The DUI charge filed against the 67-year-old, is a misdemeanor. Court records say Easton Freeman was running along-side the 2018 Can-Am Defender, a side-by-side UTV, when he slipped in mud, falling into the road. That's when he was run over. According to the arrest affidavit, Freeman's parents were also riding in the UTV when the incident happened. Easton was first transported to a Miami hospital but was pronounced dead after being flown to St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. Click here for more information on funeral arrangements. Easton attended Alexander Elementary School in Commerce and is the grandson of Ottawa County Sheriff David Dean. When Gray refused to submit to alcohol tests, he told investigators, 'They had all been drinking prior to the crash,' the affidavit states. Gray told investigators he had been drinking 'Pepsi and Canadian Mist' a couple of hours before the crash and consumed his last drink at the time of the incident. In addition to the GoFundMe account established to help defray funeral-related costs, friends have set up a shirt fundraiser, and Commerce Public Schools has opened a donation fund in honor of Freeman. Those wishing to help can do so by dropping off or mailing their donation to: Easton Freeman Memorial Fundc/o Commerce Public Schools217 Commerce StreetCommerce, OK 74339 Commerce School Superintendent, Stephen Moss, issued a statement today saying the district was shifting to virtual learning on Monday, April 28, to allow students, staff, and families attend Easton's funeral service. Moss said there is a pre-scheduled track meet on Monday and students were given the option to compete in Easton's memory by wearing a camouflage-taped wristband in his honor. He added that for those students who wanted to attend the funeral instead of competing, they would be excused from the competition. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
'Brought light into every room': Oklahoma community remembers elementary student killed in crash
COMMERCE, Okla. — A GoFundMe account has been established to help defray funeral-related costs associated with the death of a 10-year-old Commerce student. Easton Freeman was killed in an 'unfortunate accident' on Tuesday evening. Family members describe the child as a 'joyful one' who brought light to every room and 'brought smiles and laughter to each person he met. ' Easton loved the outdoors, spending time planting flowers and hunting deer in the fall. 'Easton was a loved member of this community, and we all know he'll be missed,' the family said in the link. Douglas Gray, 67, of Miami, was released from the Ottawa County jail on Wednesday. He was being held on a complaint of first-degree manslaughter in the fatal crash. District Attorney Doug Pewitt and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said the cause of the crash is under investigation. Gray was driving a 2018 Can-Am Defender, a side-by-side utility vehicle. 'Preliminary investigation indicates the child's death was the result of an unfortunate accident and not caused by the alleged consumption of alcohol,' said Pewitt. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Commerce elementary student dies in crash
COMMERCE, Okla. — A Commerce student was killed on Monday in a fatal crash, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The 9-year-old juvenile's name has not been released. Commerce Public Schools sent the following statement: The patrol said the cause of the crash is under investigation, but what is known is that the fatal crash happened around 8:30 p.m. on South 490 Road, approximately seven miles west of Commerce. Douglas Gray, 67, of Miami, was driving a 2018 Can-Am Defender. He and his passengers, Kaytelin Freeman, 31; Rodney Freeman, 36, and Noah Williams, 19, all of Miami, were not injured. The child was flown by helicopter to St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa where he died, the patrol said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
Utah Woman Who Went Missing After Her Phone Became Inactive Has Been Found Alive a Week Later
A 34-year-old Utah woman who was last seen a week ago has been found alive, authorities said. In an update posted on its Facebook page on Monday, April 7, the San Juan County Sheriff's Office said Emily Wolfe 'has been located and is safe!!" The sheriff's office did not elaborate on how and where Wolfe was found and the circumstances that led to her go missing in the first place. Related: Missing Michigan Woman, 74, Who Vanished After Casino Trip, Found Alive Stranded in the Woods 3 Days Later A day earlier, the sheriff's office shared a missing persons alert in its initial Facebook post about the disappearance of Wolfe, who hails from the Spanish Valley area in northern San Juan County. Authorities said that Wolfe was last seen on March 31, in a 2020 Can-Am Defender. 'Emily may be headed to the Highland Utah area, has stated recently that she has a job opportunity somewhere in Alaska, and has also made comments about wanting to go to North Carolina,' the sheriff's office said. Related: Hiker Missing for 13 Days Found Alive After Living off Foraged Berries and Granola Bars: 'Happiest Day of Our Lives' Police also said at the time that Wolfe's cell phone was "no longer active or turned on." Wolfe was described by authorities as measuring 5'4" tall, weighing about 120 lbs., and having brown eyes and brown hair with blonde highlights. Related: Man Was Missing for a Month in National Park, but His Mom Never Lost Hope. Then He Was Found Alive (Exclusive) She also has a script tattoo on her right forearm and her left wrist as well as a map of Vietnam on one of her ankles, police further described. In its most recent update announcing that Wolfe was found safe, the sheriff's office also expressed gratitude to the public. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'We want to thank all who shared this post in hopes of raising awareness and spreading the word,' read the statement. 'Thank you for helping us keep our communities in and around San Juan County safe!!" PEOPLE contacted the San Juan County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, April 9, for additional information. Read the original article on People
