AMill Creek man was charged Monday in Murray County District Court with first degree manslaughter.
Prosecutors allege Stephen Wayne Kurtz, 60, was driving while under the influence of alcohol when his vehicle crashed into a tree along U.S. 177 in Chickasaw National Recreation Area, near the Bison Viewpoint parking area.
Kurtz’s passenger, 59-year-old Phyllis K. Harter, was partially ejected from the Chevrolet Trailblazer and died at the scene of the New Year’s Day accident, according to documents.
Kurtz was pinned in the wreckage for a prolonged period of time before being freed by Sulphur Fire Department first responders, officials said. He was airlifted to an Oklahoma City hospital.
According to affidavit filed in the case, the Trailblazer Kurtz was driving was the same vehicle in which the two occupants were reported to have been in a physical domestic altercation at a local grocery store just before the crash.
Documents indicated that Kurtz was southbound on U.S. 177 about 2:39 p.m. on that day when his vehicle left the road and crashed into a tree.
Preliminary data from the Trailblazer’s event data recorder indicated that Kurtz’s vehicle was traveling at 71 miles-per-hour five seconds prior to the crash and 66 miles-per-hour one second before impact, according to documents. The posted speed limit in that area is 25 miles-per hour.
Kurtz was arraigned Monday in Murray County District Court and remains in jail on a bond of $150,000.
The National Park Service was assisted at the crash scene by several local and state agencies including Sulphur Police Department, Davis Fire Department, Murray County Sheriff’s Office, Murray County EMS, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
