Last Updated on January 13, 2023 by CCAR Staff
STILLWATER, Okla. >> A woman suspected of driving under the influence plowed into a crowd Saturday during the Oklahoma State University homecoming parade, killing four people — including a toddler — and injuring dozens more in a collision that sent some spectators flying through the air.
Stillwater police Capt. Kyle Gibbs said the woman’s Hyundai Elantra struck an unoccupied motorcycle of an officer who was working security at the parade, then went into the crowd. She was taken into custody, and Gibbs said investigators were awaiting the results of blood tests to determine if she was impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Oklahoma University Medical Center and The Children’s Hospital announced in a statement Saturday night that a 2-year-old was the fourth person to die from injuries suffered in the morning crash. Five children and three adults remained hospitalized with conditions ranging from good to critical, officials said. Gibbs had said earlier that 34 people were taken to the hospital.
• Photos: Oklahoma State homecoming parade crash
Police said Adacia Chambers, 25, of Stillwater, was arrested on the DUI charge.
“We treat these like we would any homicide investigation,” Gibbs said. “It’ll probably take several days to get additional information as to the cause of the accident.”
Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis said the homecoming game against Kansas would be played Saturday afternoon.
Dave Kapple of Houston told the Stillwater News Press that he and his son were about 10 feet away when they saw the vehicle barreling into the crowd.
“We heard somebody scream, ‘Look out!.’ (The driver) plowed through a police motorcycle, and then a crowd of people,” Kapple said. “People were flying everywhere.”
Konda Walker, from Anchorage, Alaska, was attending the festivities ahead of the homecoming game.
“At first we thought it was part of the show,” Walker told the News Press. “People were flying 30 feet into the air like rag dolls.”
Phone calls to Oklahoma State officials were not immediately returned.
The university posted on Twitter: “Oklahoma State University is saddened by the tragic parade incident earlier this morning. Our thoughts & prayers are with those affected.”
