OKLAHOMA CITY — A 31-year-old woman died late Sunday night after being struck by a vehicle while sledding behind another car in northwest Oklahoma City.
Two people were arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder and other charges.
Police believe 31-year-old Makayla Mitchell was riding a sled attached by rope to a vehicle traveling southbound on North Walker Avenue near NW 82nd Street around 11:11 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25.
The driver of that vehicle, identified as 22-year-old Angel Walzier, was allegedly towing Mitchell when the rope broke, leaving the sled and Mitchell in the roadway.
Another vehicle, allegedly driven by 24-year-old James Kirk, was following behind and struck Mitchell. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Capt. Valerie Littlejohn, public information officer for the Oklahoma City Police Department, all individuals involved appeared to be part of the same group.
“So there’s a vehicle that was pulling a sled by a rope down one of our neighborhood city streets, and the rope broke, and there was another vehicle following behind it. It appears this is all one big group of people. They’re all with each other,” Littlejohn told Free Press in a phone interview Tuesday. “When that rope broke the vehicle that was following hit the woman on the sled, and she unfortunately passed away from her injuries.”
Littlejohn said both drivers were arrested after showing signs of intoxication. A Drug Recognition Officer evaluated both, blood draw warrants were obtained and blood draws completed.
“There was a small child in the vehicle that hit the sledder, and so that driver was also charged with child endangerment as well, since they were under the influence operating that vehicle and they did not have a valid driver’s license,” Littlejohn said. “The drivers were arrested for murder 2, and aggravated DUI as well.”
According to booking records from the Oklahoma County Detention Center, both suspects were booked in the early morning hours of Jan. 26.
Kirk faces multiple felony charges, including:
• Second-degree murder
• Aggravated driving under the influence
• Child endangerment
• Causing a fatality accident without a valid driver’s license 
Walzier was also booked on complaints of second-degree murder and aggravated DUI.
As of Tuesday morning, both remained in custody without bond set. Court dates have not yet been scheduled.
So far, the OCPD has not classified this as a homicide.
Note: At the time of publication, the details released by the police have not been tested in court. By law, individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty by a jury of their peers or through a guilty plea.
Brett is the founder, and editor in chief of Oklahoma City Free Press. He continues to contribute reporting and photography to the efforts of the publication as well as leadership in developing support.
