TAHLEQUAH —
Prosecutors have filed charges against a Welling man who allegedly fled from police in late December and then crashed his vehicle.
Brandon Kirk Hembree, 24, is charged with eluding or attempting to elude a police officer, driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Tahlequah Patrolman Brandon Vick said he was patrolling about 1 a.m. Dec. 26, when he saw a car at the Tahlequah Motor Lodge parking lot area with a man standing near the passenger door. Vick said he believed a hand-to-hand drug transaction might have been taking place, so he parked his car to observe.
When the vehicle driven by Hembree left, Vick decided to follow the car, but Hembree allegedly took the vehicle to speeds of about 100 mph and drove in the wrong lanes to pass several cars. Vick pursued the vehicle as it traveled south toward the Cherokee Nation complex.
Hembree allegedly continued south on Muskogee Avenue at speeds of around 120 mph, then tried to turn into Sequoyah High School. He continued driving the vehicle on various roads at high speeds.
Vick said he began to notice slick spots on the roads, so he slowed down and soon decided to call off the pursuit.
Vick and fellow Tahlequah officers Tony Aguilar and Cory Keele started driving back to the city on Stone Chapel Road and came upon Hembree’s vehicle in a ditch, turned onto its top. Officers said a female passenger was outside of the vehicle, holding her chest, and a male passenger – identified as Robert Finch – was on his back, hanging halfway out of a window.
Patrolman Tony Aguilar found Hembree in the ditch about 40 feet from the vehicle with a severe cut to his head and road rash all over his body, according to Vick.
Vick said a smoking pipe that smelled of burnt marijuana was found in Hembree’s front pocket.
Aguilar tried to keep Hembree warm until medical personnel arrived, according to Vick’s report. Finch was checked by EMS and released, and officers later arrested him for public intoxication. Hembree was eventually taken to a Tulsa hospital for his injuries, and the female passenger was taken to a Tahlequah hospital.
Supplemental information filed with the formal charges against Hembree indicate his previous convictions in Cherokee County could enhance his sentence.
Hembree was convicted of possession of a stolen vehicle, second-degree burglary, malicious injury to property, and assault and battery in 2006, and was given a three-year deferred sentence.
In 2008, that sentence was accelerated to seven years, with all but six months suspended; a few months later, the sentence was revoked to six years in the Department of Corrections.
He was convicted of driving under the influence and received a one-year suspended sentence in 2008. The same year was convicted of aggravated assault and battery and given five years in prison.
Other previous Cherokee County charges against Hembree include two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle from 2007, when he was convicted and received a five-year deferred sentence.
In October 2010, that sentence was accelerated to five years, when he faced charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle and second-degree burglary.
Hembree could face three years to life in prison, along with fines, on the latest charge of eluding or attempting to elude a police officer.
Local News
Charges filed in December crash case
- Local News
-
-
From Dinosaurs to Greece
Children attending the Northeastern State University Continuing Education and College of Liberal Arts Second Century Summer Camps for Kids aren’t just getting adult supervision. The kids are enjoying their summer vacations, and experiencing fun and informative educational programs in a college setting.
-
Tailholt community introduces ‘fun day’
A Tailholt Family Fun Fest and Dad’s Day Out brought dozens of people to the Caney Community Center Saturday to celebrate fathers and their community.
-
Airbag module may offer clues to crash
State troopers are seeking the airbag control module from a truck that crashed into a tree in the Keys area early Saturday morning, killing two local teenagers and critically injuring others.
-
Fatalities could raise new concerns about riding in the back of pickups
A spokesman for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol says troopers “strongly discourage” people from riding in truck beds, although state law doesn’t specifically restrict them from doing so.
-
Suspicious vehicle lands two in jail on meth-related arrests
Two people were arrested on methamphetamine-related charges Tuesday morning after deputies were asked to check on a suspicious vehicle near Opal McKee Trailer Park.
-
Thriving on culture
Northeastern State University began as the Cherokee Female Seminary and was established prior to statehood. It has a long and storied history ntertwined with the Cherokee Nation, and to this day, it offers degree programs and outreach opportunities for American Indians.
-
CN Tribal Council election this Saturday
Cherokee citizens will take to the voting booths Saturday, June 22, as eight tribal council seats are up for grabs. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in all seven districts.
-
Teens killed in area crash were TPS students
Two Tahlequah teenagers are dead after a pickup carrying several young people crashed early Saturday morning at the intersection of Indian Road and Pettit Bay Road.
-
Diamondhead to host Red Dirt music festival
Barbara and Kevin Kelly, owners of Diamondhead Resort on State Highway 10 on the Illinois River, have worked for years to create a fun, festival atmosphere. That includes floating, camping, swimming, as well as hosting a variety of musical guests.
-
Market offers homemade goods
The Cookson Hills Center United Methodist Mission Farmers’ Market was born on a whim.
- More Local News Headlines
-
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
