A woman convicted last month of second degree murder in the death of a Prague man who died from injuries in a traffic collision 3½ years ago has been sentenced to life in prison.
Haley Jordan Price, 30 at the time, was charged in Lincoln County District Court on Apr. 21, 2021 with first degree manslaughter and feloniously driving while under the influence of alcohol District Attorney Adam Panter in 2023 amended the charges against Price to include Count 1, first degree manslaughter or in the Alternative Count 2, second degree murder.
At the conclusion of a bench trial on March 1 this year, presided over by Associate District Judge Sheila Kirk, the judge found Price guilty of second degree murder.
Judge Kirk ordered a pre-sentence investigation. She scheduled sentencing for Monday of this week.
During sentencing, Assistant District Attorney Adam Kallsnick called two witnesses and Defense Attorney Shelley Levisay called Price to testify. Closing arguments were presented.
Judge Kirk sentenced Price to life in the Department of Corrections with the possibility of parole.
Following the sentencing, Assistant DA Kallsnick said, “We are very pleased with the sentence Judge Kirk imposed. Ms. Price has been given numerous chances through the criminal justice system and was on probation out of Pontotoc County at the time she drove under the influence and killed Tommy Rogers.
“We hope this sentence serves to protect the citizens of Oklahoma and will provide some solace to Mr. Rogers’ family.”
Assistant District Attorney Rachel Thompson along with Assistant DA Kelly Trimble prosecuted the case at trial.
Price was represented by attorney Kim Miller at trial.
The manslaughter charge stated that on Oct. 26, 2020 Price caused the death of Tommy Rogers, 81, by driving a car on Highway 62 in Lincoln County and by causing or allowing the car to cross the center line and strike the pickup being driven by Rogers, which resulted in injuries to Rogers from which Rogers died.
It further stated Price was engaged in the commission of a misdemeanor, unlawfully driving a motor vehicle when Price’s license was suspended, revoked or cancelled.
The alternative, second degree murder, accused Price of causing the death of Rogers by driving a car on Highway 62 in Lincoln County and by causing or allowing the car to cross the center line and strike the pickup being driven by Rogers, which resulted in injuries to Rogers from which Rogers died, while she was engaged in the commission of a felony by unlawfully driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol after having been previously convicted of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol (DUI) in Pontotoc County case CM-201231, a felony violation.
Oklahoma Highway Trooper Broden Carls, who investigated the collision on Oct. 26, 2020, reported at that time Rogers suffered injuries to his head, both legs, both arms and trunk internal.
The trooper reported the fatal collision occurred just before 8 p.m. on U.S. 62 and Airport Road, one mile west of Prague. Rogers was transported by REACT Ambulance to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City.
The trooper said Rogers died of his injuries the following day, Oct. 27.
Carls reported Rogers was driving a 2010 Toyota Tacoma westbound on U.S. 62.
He said a 2014 Honda CRV driven by Price was eastbound on the highway and went left of center striking the Toyota headon.
He said the Honda spun 360 degrees coming to rest in the middle of the road. The Toyota ran off the road to the right coming to rest in the ditch.