McALESTER, Okla. (AP) - A McAlester man has been ordered to stand trial on a first-degree murder charge after a woman was killed while police pursued his pickup truck last fall.
The McAlester News-Capital reported Friday (https://bit.ly/1MGWd6f ) that Michael Crawley, 37, is charged in the November death of Amber Brewer, 34. Police say the McAlester woman tried to leap from Crawley’s truck as police chased it after receiving a burglary call.
“Her feet came out first and then it seemed like the door closed,” McAlester police officer Chris Skinner testified at Thursday’s hearing. “I saw her feet first and then her upper body.”
“The back wheels of the truck aggressively bumped over her,” Skinners said.
Detectives said the chase started after officers from McAlester and Krebs received a complaint from a storage unit. The complex’s owner was staking out the storage units after previous burglaries.
“We had some break-ins the night before and we were waiting to see if anyone would try to break in again,” Randy Nichols testified. He said he called police after hearing bolt-cutters break a lock.
Officers said that after they arrived, Crawley rammed a patrol vehicle and then led police on a 15-minute chase that reached speeds approaching 100 mph.
Prosecutors said Crawley caused Brewer’s death. After Thursday’s court hearing, Crawley told reporters he wasn’t responsible.
“The cops hit her,” Crawley said.
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Information from: McAlester News-Capital, https://www.mcalesternews.com
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