Auto Theft Suspect Crashes Into, Kills Woman In Owasso-Area Pursuit

A woman was killed when an auto theft suspect crashed into her car during a pursuit Sunday morning.

Authorities closed roads just west of Owasso after a pursuit ended in a fatality crash. Drivers were urged to avoid 76th Street North from Main Street in Owasso to Memorial and Mingo from 76th Street North to 56th Street North.

According to officials, ex-convict Blake Lee Ferguson was driving a stolen red pickup and was running from Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers in a high-speed pursuit before the wreck.

OHP Trooper Dwight Durant said Ferguson was going north on Mingo when he ran a stop sign and hit a red car. Firefighters freed the woman driving the car.

She was rushed to the hospital but died of her injuries, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Troopers said a trooper spotted the stolen truck around 9:40 a.m. on Interstate 44. He followed the driver, who exited north on U.S. Highway 169. Other troopers arrived to assist in a traffic stop, but the driver took off, OHP said.

“The guy pulls over, looks like everything's gonna go good, then he takes off northbound on Mingo," Durant said.

He said the chase probably lasted for about 11 or 12 miles.

“The suspect tried to run 'em off the road and was brake-checking them, trying to get them to crash. That brings it up to another level,” Durant said. “Right now, we got an assault on a police officer with a dangerous weapon, which is a vehicle."

Durant said they found needles and other paraphernalia in plain view in the pickup, and they believe the crash was drug or alcohol related.

Tulsa Police, Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers, Tulsa County Sheriff's Office and Owasso Police were on scene. 

Ferguson was also taken to the hospital after being treated at the scene. There were no other passengers in either vehicle, according to OHP.

According to records, Ferguson has numerous convictions for making and using drugs, driving under the influence, possession of stolen items, including at least one for possession of a stolen vehicle, and at least one conviction for attempting to elude police.