4 killed, 44 hurt when car hits crowd at Oklahoma State parade

CNN ^ | October 24, 2015 | Jason Hanna and Kevin Conlon

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

(CNN)A woman suspected of drunken driving crashed a car into a crowd of spectators at Oklahoma State University's homecoming parade, killing four people -- including a 2-year-old -- authorities in Stillwater said Saturday.

Three adults were pronounced dead at the scene, while the fourth victim, the young boy, died from his injuries at OU Medical Center Children's Hospital, according to a Stillwater police statement.

Spokesman Capt. Kyle Gibbs said Saturday night that 44 people had been injured, an uptick from previous reports.

Four children and three adults were hospitalized at OU Medical Center, according to hospital spokeswoman Vallery Brown.

While authorities did not immediately release the names of those killed and injured, the president of the University of Central Oklahoma said one of the people killed was Nikita Nakal, an MBA student from Mumbai, India.

"While our thoughts and prayers are with the Oklahoma State University community tonight following the tragic events during OSU's homecoming parade this morning, it is with deep sadness that I ask you to extend those sentiments to the family and friends of one of our own students," wrote President Don Betz. "Our students come to Central with their unique goals, hopes and dreams, and Nikita was undoubtedly no different."

Gibbs said the car's driver, Adacia Avery Chambers of Stillwater, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence and taken to the city jail. She is not believed to be an OSU student, he said.

According to a police statement, Chambers drove her 2014 Hyundai Elantra into an unmanned police motorcycle before careening into the crowd of spectators.

When asked by a reporter whether the 25-year-old Chambers was "obviously intoxicated," Gibbs said, "Certainly probable cause for the arrest, yes sir."

[demshateGod]

White girl.

[utahagen]

I've seen Adacia’s photo and she's 100% white, her name notwithstanding.

[BykrBayb]

Mumbai must be the capital of our 57th state, India.

[cherry]

several yrs ago an old man drove his car deliberately thru Olivera street in Cal. IIRC...he killed about 10 people and showed no remorse....

drunkenness or being drugged behind a machine like a car is a no win situation for all....its still a accident...

the deciding factor for me would to know the history of this woman.....was she a drunk?...a druggee?....was she on other meds?....

[DoughtyOne]

If she’s culpable in any way, she’s “toss the book at her” vulnerable > IMO.

I merely raised the issue that there might be some other problem other than alcohol or drugs.

In the next few days we’ll know.

If she’s culpable an any way, I’m not going to defend her at all. This was a terrible thing. I’d prefer to think it happened because of an illness instead of criminal behavior.

I’m not sure how relatives will feel about it. I would rather my family member died because of a strange medical problem, rather than someone who was committing a stupid crime.

[EDINVA]

I think that student was singled out as the only student from Central Oklahoma vs OSU, rather than her nation of origin. The other victims hadn’t yet been ID’d.

[chulaivn66]

I posted the reply in the hopes of stimulating the brain cells of others. It worked. I got your attention not that yours weren’t working in the first instance; but that means there is hope for others. I won’t reply to every point you mentioned.

“You have to realize thousands of these types of events take place across this nation several times a year. This is one accident, although a terrible one.”
Maybe a State Fair Parade in Oklahoma is a small affair, I have no idea. But the frequency of these incidents occurs at a higher level than you seem to imply. Closures of streets for street fairs have been the scenes of similar incidents with minimal safety precautions in place. Multiples of lives have been lost and injuries suffered as a result. Generally as a result of inadequate planning for the worst case scenario. One elderly driver in California killed multiple people and injured many others due to operator error. Never mind the issue of intoxicants.

“I don’t think your idea is wrong-headed, but I’m not sure it’s practical.”
It needn’t have been concrete K-Rail. But apparently no one gave a thought to the inadequacy of the placement of a motorcycle, police presence or not. Explain the practicality of that action. Construction pylons and or wooden barricades wouldn’t have worked either. I haven’t looked at the location on a map but large well lit barricades with flashing lights set off from the parade route a block to either side beats a motorcycle.

“You have a small town, and limited resources.”
Innocent lives on one side, cost on the other. Is the scale in balance now?

“Who would think someone would barrel through at 50 mph?”
Me. Didn’t you?

I’ve driven while in that condition in my youth and couldn’t remember how I got from A to B. I and others who were in the vicinity of my path were lucky. I learned the lesson without experiencing the horror which might have resulted from that act. Having had that experience I look for the dangers others pose and prepare ahead of time to hopefully avoid the consequences of their presence.

I questioned myself about the appropriateness of my response on this thread; but the thought of not mentioning protective options for the consideration and enlightenment of others outweighed the risk of criticism. Who knows? But someone involved in the planning of events might read what I wrote and having done so initiate additional protective measures as a result. Lives and limbs saved, anguish avoided. Just a tip to the unwise and unobservant. Among whose ranks you are not a member.

[Boomer]

President obola will be calling for the banning of cars and trucks in the morning of course just as he does every time more than 3 people are killed by firearms as long as the shooter is white or can be made to look white.

[DoughtyOne]

Think of your community. How many parades are there?

Some communities can have five to ten parades per year.

If those routes go ten blocks, you've got twenty streets to block off. Those concrete barricades are very heavy. They have to be stored, loaded, transported, off-loaded, and placed.

Okay, let's say your plan is implemented. Then what. One guy that gets a plan in his head merely has to drive up a sidewalk, evade the blockade, and do his deed. All that work for nothing.

What do you do with vacant lots along the route?

You may have seen this coming, but I didn't.

You mentioned a older guy who pulled into a crowd in California. It was Olvera Street. It's a block long street with Mexican type curio shops. It's not a street you drive down. It's a walk-way. Here:

Right click view for larger...

You've probably noted where polls and flower pots and other things have been installed around the nation to stop things like this. I don't know what else you can do other than simply make all downtowns no vehicle zones.

Perhaps you have a good idea to stop all this. I'd be willing to listen.

[bigdaddy45]

You are a disgusting person.

[bigdaddy45]

She’s white. Sorry to disappoint you.

[AzNASCARfan]

Cars don’t kill people... it the Damn DRUNKS!

Its time to legalize a plant and probably cut our prison population in half by releasing the people there ONLY for weed, or double down on prohibition and make alcohol illegal again too.

[2sheep]

1. October 6. Oklahoma removes Ten Commandments monument from capitol grounds.
2. God lifts His hand of protection from Oklahoma.
3. October 24, the judgment of God falls. Car crashes into crowd.

Great tragedy. So sad.

[kcvl]

Nash Lucas, 2 years old. His mother is an OSU student, the family tells News On 6.

[JustaCowgirl]

This is just in from the Stillwater News Press. It looks as though she was not drunk. Stillwater News Press article

The suspected drunken driver who plowed a vehicle through a crowd of people Saturday morning - killing four and injuring more than 40 others during the Oklahoma State University homecoming parade – was seen leaving her place of work distraught 30 minutes before the incident.

Adacia Chambers, 25, of Stillwater, was a part-time employee in “good standing” according to Mark Thompson, owner of the Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers in Stillwater.

“She was always on time. She is a pleasant person. I have nothing to say about her that isn't good. She has been an excellent employee,” Thompson said. “She didn't appear to be under the influence (when she left).”

The corporate office also responded about the incident.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Cowboy community and everyone affected by the event that occurred Saturday morning. We are deeply saddened by this terrible news and our Stillwater franchise restaurant is cooperating fully with law enforcement officials,” said Lexie Pearce, public relations manager at Freddy's corporate office.

Justin DeNoya, 36, of Stillwater, who works near Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, where Chambers works, said he saw her leave the business about 30 minutes before the wreck. “She looked like she had been crying,” said DeNoya, who was standing about 30 feet away from her. “She looked upset.” DeNoya said she left on foot and headed north on Boomer Road. “She was walking in a straight line and didn't seem intoxicated,” he said. News of the collision traveled quickly and when DeNoya saw a photo of the suspected drunk driver handcuffed at the scene, he realized it was the same woman he saw with tears in her eyes earlier that day. “I was shocked,” he said. An earlier News Press version of this story mentioned Chambers had allegedly been fired from her job. Thompson said that wasn't true.

[kcvl]

Police identified the victims as Nakita Prabhaker, 23, of Edmond, Bonnie Stone, 65, of Stillwater, Marvin Stone, 65, of Stillwater.

[kcvl]

Toddler, married couple, graduate student among dead in disastrous Oklahoma State University homecoming parade crash

Photos at link below...

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/toddler-married-couple-grad-student-killed-osu-crash-article-1.2410467

[kcvl]

Student: Will you be teaching today?
Dr. Stone: No, I’ll be lecturing. It’s up to you to decide if I’ve taught you anything
Dr. Marvin Stone,
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK

[kcvl]

Stone, Bonnie - Information Technology at Oklahoma State University

Preferred Name: BONNIE. Professional Last Name: First Name: BONNIE. Middle Name: JEAN. Last Name: STONE. Campus: OSU Stillwater. Department: IRIM.

[kelly4c]

Why is it that in so many news reports these days there are blatant discrepancies. They said she was sent home early because she appeared to be under the influence, then we’re told the opposite, that there was nothing wrong with her and she’s a great employee. Then why did she leave work early and upset? Is the owner trying to cover his butt? Dad said she did homecoming festivities till 10 pm the night before but co-worker say she worked till at least midnight? We won’t know the thruth for another month.