Oklahoma police arrested a man last week in connection with a rollover crash that killed his 16-year-old daughter.
Elliott Binney is charged withleaving the scene of the January 11 crash resulting in death, first degree manslaughter, and passing a vehicle in a no-passing zone, KJRH reported. He bonded out of jail shortly after his January 12 arrest in Checotah, about 50 miles away.
Bixby Police said they were called to the scene of the crash on January 11 and found 16-year-old Shelby Binney, who had not been wearing a seatbelt, thrown from the vehicle. She was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Three other people — two elementary school aged children and an adult, described as members of Binney’s family — were hospitalized after the crash.
Police said they found an unsealed bottle of vodka next to the passenger door, and Elliott Binney told investigators that he purchased the bottle and took a “gulp” while driving his family back home.
Witnesses told the officers that Binney was traveling in excess of 70 miles per hour and passed multiple other vehicles in a no passing zone. It was also raining at the time.
Binney himself suffered minor injures.
“These situations are tragic in every sense of the word,” Bixby Police Chief Todd Blish said.
Another witness reported hearing the crash and rushing outside, where he found Binney wandering outside his SUV. The witness said he tried to get Binney to sit down, but he ran off.
“The driver fled the scene and we believe he switched vehicles,” Blish said. “(He) fled to a family member’s home and switched vehicles and left the area. We were able to track him electronically and ultimately make an arrest this morning.”
Bixby Public Schools sent a letter home to parents about Shelby Binney’s death.
“We are still gathering details surrounding the accident, yet we know that Shelby was in the vehicle with other family members, several of whom are currently hospitalized,” the statement said. “Two of her siblings are students at Central Elementary.”
The school district said counseling was available at the school.
According to the Oklahoman, Binney was released on a $102,100 bond. Court records show he had been cited for multiple violations — including reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident, which were dismissed — and convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon and larceny.
He is scheduled for arraignment on February 14.
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[Featured image: Elliott Binney/Bixby Police Department]
