Rogers County Sheriff Discusses Pursuit That Led To Fatal Crash

Sheriff Scott Walton addressed the pursuit of a 17-year-old boy in a stolen car that ended with the death of an innocent woman.

“None of us wanted this to end this way," Walton said. "We all wanted this to end peacefully for everyone involved."

Related: High-Speed Chase Involving Rogers County Deputies, 17-Year-Old Ends In Fatal Crash

The pursuit ended after deputies deployed spike strips, causing the teenager to crash. The family of Logan Harrel, who died in the crash, said it's too soon for them to speak publicly about her loss.

Walton expressed his condolences but said that deputies had to intervene due to the dangerous driving.

"The tragedy and heartache go out to that family that lost an innocent life, and a mother who’s still hospitalized," Walton said.

Deputies revealed the teenager had stolen three cars and led law enforcement on three separate pursuits across two states. He told deputies he was traveling from Missouri to California, with plans to commit additional crimes along the way.

"He’d completed a home invasion near Republic, Missouri, where he planned to kill the homeowner, a former mentor," Walton said.

The teenager also claimed he was hearing voices and planning more carjackings as part of his journey.

“He was going to continue until something stopped him,” Walton said. “We wanted to be that intervening factor, anything but an innocent person being hurt.”

Walton stands by the decision to use stop sticks, believing it prevented further harm.

“Knowing his intentions, I believe someone else would have been hurt or killed as he made his way to California,” he said.

Harrel's mother, who was driving at the time of the crash, remains hospitalized. The family says they will share more about Logan once they have had time to grieve.

The district attorney's office expects to receive investigative reports from the sheriff’s office and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol this week, with charges against the teenager expected shortly thereafter.