Latest news with #EastonFreeman
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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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
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.
