A Jennings man facing a manslaughter charge or in the alternative negligent homicide after his semi-trailer truck collided with a vehicle driven by a Stroud man who died in the crash has made his initial appearance.
Brent Lee Nobles, 43, was charged in Lincoln County District Court March 23. A $15,000 bench warrant was issued at that time for his arrest.
Court records show the bench warrant was returned and filed April 6. Nobles made his initial appearance on April 20 before Special Judge Emily Mueller and she ordered him to return to court with an attorney at 1:30 p.m. July 20.
The first degree manslaughter charge accuses Nobles on Sept. 28, 2022, of causing the death of Randy VanFossen who died as a direct result of an act which happened while Nobles was in the commission of a misdemeanor, passing in a no passing zone, contrary to the provisions of Oklahoma statutes.
VanFossen was 68 when he died in the collision.
The alternative charge, negligent homicide–motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, states Nobles committed the delinquent act on Sep. 28, 2022, by driving a motor vehicle in reckless disregard of the safety of others, passing in a no passing and in do so doing so injured VanFossen causing his death, contrary to provisions of state statutes.
In a probable cause affidavit, Stroud Police Officer Charles Mash states he was advised around 3:45 p.m. on Sep. 28, 2022 of a vehicle collision at SH 99 and 850 Road. He said upon his arrival he observed a white Chevy pickup truck and a gold semi with a flatbed trailer sitting at a resting point on the northwest corner of that intersection.
VanFossen, driver of the pickup truck, told Mash he was pinned in the vehicle and couldn’t move.
The Stroud officer also made contact with the driver of the semi, Brent Nobles, and he stated that he went to pass a slowing vehicle and when he entered the other lane of traffic he noticed the vehicle brake, not use his turn signal and turn west onto 850 Road. Nobles stated he tried to stop his vehicle but couldn’t get it stopped before hitting VanFossen.
Mash reported he determined VanFossen was driving north on SH 99 and was turning west onto 850 Road. Nobles was driving northbound on SH 99 and was attempting to pass the slowing vehicles in a no passing zone.