Woman Arrested In Connection With Deadly DUI Crash, Family Remembers Man Killed

Oklahoma City police said on Monday their preliminary investigation indicated speed, alcohol, and medical marijuana led to a crash that claimed the life of 36-year-old Thomas Ferguson. Officers arrested 43-year-old Tracy Mitchell at the northeast Oklahoma City scene on complaints of driving under the influence and first-degree manslaughter. 

Residents near northeast 70th street and Laird Avenue heard and felt the crash just after 7 p.m. last Thursday. 

“It shook the house,” said Cleo LaMason, witness.   

Police said Ferguson's SUV rolled and he was thrown from the car. Mitchell was able to walk away from her car. 

At first, witnesses did not know what caused the crash. Cleo LaMason said in the eight years she has lived there she had never seen a crash, even though the intersection is uncontrolled. 

“Meaning, there’s no stop light or sign,” said Msgt. Gary Knight, Oklahoma City Police Department. “Not a yield sign, so you certainly have to yield as you’re approaching it.”   

LaMason was one of the first witnesses to run to the victim on the ground. 

“I went over and rolled him over to his left side,” said LaMason. “Because that’s what they teach you in first aid.”  

LaMason quickly realized there was nothing she could do to save Ferguson's life. She wanted his family to know he was not alone. 

“Unfortunately, the most I could do was pray and just let them know he didn’t die alone,” said LaMason. “We stayed with him.”   

Since Ferguson's death his friends and family posted dozens of pictures of him on social media. They called him a "bright light," someone who made others smile and a shoulder to cry on. 

“Our hearts and prayers are with them,” said LaMason. 

Police said the driver accused of causing the deadly crash admitted to drinking beer and smoking medical marijuana an hour before. 

“The case has not been presented to the DA yet,” said Knight. “As we’re still waiting on the test results from the crash. These types of investigations tend to take a while.” 

Knight said Mitchell was taken to the hospital for a blood draw and to be checked after the crash. She has since been released from jail on a $50,000 bond.