Pickett, OK — A 17-year old girl was killed in an accident police believe may have been caused by drug use. The accident occurred on Highway 19 in Pickett, Oklahoma, around 6:45 in the afternoon. The accident happened on Wednesday, October 7, 2014.
Bayli Hyde was riding in the backseat of a friend’s car. That friend has been identified as 20-year old Jonathan Chandler. Chandler missed a curve in the highway and drove off-road, then over-corrected and drove off the road again. Chandler then hit a culvert, causing the car to flip over. Hyde was ejected out the back window and died.
Chandler and another passenger in the front seat survived the crash. Police responding to the scene interviewed Chandler and found that he was under the influence of an intoxicating substance when the accident occurred. He was taken to Mercy Hospital and given a blood test before admitting to taking two Klonopin, which is a schedule IV controlled substance. Police arrested him and have charged him with DUI and first-degree manslaughter.
Scene of the Accident
Commentary
Let’s just be perfectly honest about this. Driver’s have several responsibilities, and one of those is to create and maintain a safe environment for those they’re driving with. If this driver was taking pills before getting in his car with these two girls, he obviously failed in that duty, and is going to be liable for the damage he’s caused. And rightfully so. Words describing this level of irresponsibility are hard to find. Suffice it to say that this young man needs to be held responsible for what he’s done.
— Grossman Law Offices