Mother Upset Former Deputy Only Charged With Misdemeanor For Daughter's Death

A former Cherokee County Deputy has been charged with two counts of misdemeanor negligent homicide for a crash that killed two people in July of 2020. 

Grace Blaylock was one of those victims. Her mother said Grace's life is worth more than the punishment that comes with a misdemeanor, which is up to a year in jail. The case has been bounced between the state and tribal court and back again.

Sherri Blaylock said at the end of the day, the deputy gets to go home to his family, but if she or her grandson wants to visit Grace, they have to go to a grave.

"Loved to have fun and loved to laugh and giggle," said Sherri Blaylock, Mom.

Now all Sheri has are pictures, some voice recordings, and videos to keep her company.

"I listen to them," said Blaylock. 

She said Grace was outgoing and had a servant's heart.

"You always look back on what you should have done and so I would've told her how proud I was of her," said Blaylock. 

Grace loved animals and everything outdoors.

"There's not a single that goes by that I don't think about her," said Blaylock. 

Sherri said Grace was a great single mom to Atticus who takes after his mom in so many ways.

"I would tell him, you know, your momma enjoyed this just like you do," said Blaylock. 

The Cherokee County Sheriff said Ryan Young was a deputy at the time and was on duty July 31st of 2020, on his way to a call north of Tahlequah. He told us state troopers believe Young was going around 50 miles an hour, heading south down a hill, on a narrow dirt road.

He said the victims were coming up the other side of that hill and Young crashed into them, killing both the driver Jared Wilkerson and his passenger Grace.

"He made the choice to drive that way," said Blaylock. 

The family believes the charges should be felonies.

"I feel like my sister's life was worth more, way more than $1000," said Jacey Blaylock, Sister.

"I mean I feel like my daughter's life was worth more than that," said Sherri Blaylock, Mom.

Blaylock said if Young gets convicted, she wants to see him lose his law enforcement certification.

Mr. Young's Attorney is out of town but was able to get back to us on Young's behalf. She has agreed to reach out to her client, look over the file, and will be issuing a statement in the coming days.