Seminole Co. DA Builds Case Against Driver In Fatal Trooper-Involved Crash

An arrest was made after a crash took one Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper's life last weekend and put a second trooper in the hospital. Steven Clark was placed into the Seminole County Jail. 

2/6/2015 Related Story: OHP Arrests Driver Involved In Crash That Killed Trooper

Friday afternoon Steven Wayne Clark was arrested in Cushing where he lives and soon after the district attorney filed one count of first degree manslaughter for the death of Trooper Nicholas Dees.

District Attorney Chris Ross said Dees died as a result of what Clark was doing that distracted him and caused him to hit and kill the trooper.

“A manslaughter where the death is caused by you committing a misdemeanor,” was how Ross described the charge.

Ross wouldn't elaborate on exactly what Clark was doing as he's building a case and keeping those details for the courtroom.

Ross said he's watched dash cam video of the incident and believes this charge fits the crime and said Clark could face up to life in prison if convicted.

News 9 went to Clark's home in Cushing, but nobody was there. Clark remained in the Seminole County Jail and will go before a judge Monday.

Court records also stated the OHP video from inside one of the troopers cars showed other vehicles passing the accident and slowing down once they saw the emergency lights. However, Clark's 2006 Honda never lost speed.

2/1/2015 Related Story: Oklahoma Authorities Honor Trooper Who Died In The Line Of Duty

“We believe the evidence will show what he was doing rather than being an attentive driver,” Ross said.

Funeral services for Trooper Dees are scheduled for Saturday in Broken Bow. 

2/2/2015 Related Story: Funeral Services Set For Trooper Who Died In Seminole Co. Crash