Oklahoma: Two-year-old boy among four people killed in DUI crash
A two-year-old boy is among four people who were killed after a car careered into a crowd during a homecoming parade at Oklahoma State University. The three adults who were killed have been named as 23-year-old Nakita Prabhakar from Edmond, and Bonnie Jean Stone and Marvin Lyle Stone, both aged 65 and from Stillwater.
The incident occurred on Saturday (24 October) in Stillwater, when 25-year-old Adacia Chambers' Hyundai Elantra struck a parked police motorcycle belonging to an officer who was providing security on the parade. Driving at speeds of 50mph, the car then careered into a crowd of spectators, who ran for cover. Eye witnesses described shocking scenes as victims were thrown '30 feet into the air like rag dolls'.
Initial reports suggested four people had died and 22 were injured, however police later said that 47 people sustained injuries, including five who are in a critical condition.
Representatives for OU Medical Centre in Oklahoma City said the hospital treated eight victims from the crash, five of them children. One of those patients, a two-year-old boy, later died.
Chambers was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol. Her father, Floyd Chambers, described his shock on hearing about the incident on social media. "I can't figure this out. This is not the person that's my daughter," he said. "I can't imagine alcohol being involved. She is not an alcoholic that I'm aware of."
According to Sky News the school's president, V. Burns Hargis issued a statement saying: "We are shocked and heartbroken by this horrible tragedy. The Oklahoma State University Homecoming parade is the most wholesome of events and to have it marred in such a way is incomprehensible."
Oklahoma State University chose not to cancel its homecoming football game in the wake of the accident. The game was dedicated to the victims.
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