Prison Escapee Crashes In High-Speed Chase Near Sand Springs

An Oklahoma prison escapee is in a Tulsa hospital after crashing a motorcycle during a chase Thursday night near Sand Springs. 

Sapulpa Police said an officer spotted Ronald Thomas, 37, outside a home at about 10:30 p.m. They said Thomas rode off on a motorcycle.

Police and Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers chased him north on Highway 97 at speeds over 100 miles per hour. 

The chase ended a short time later at West 41st Street South and Highway 97 when Thomas' motorcycle rear-ended a black Chevy pickup and landed in a ditch. 

Police said Thomas was thrown from the motorcycle and suffered multiple injuries to his head and chest. EMSA took him to a Tulsa hospital in critical condition.

Sapulpa Police later said he is expected to make a full recovery.

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections says Ronald Thomas escaped Monday from the Jackie Brannon Correctional Center in McAlester.

Thomas was serving a 20-year sentence out of Washington County for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He was scheduled to be released in 2030.

Court records show he has numerous convictions out of Osage, Tulsa and Washington counties.

Sapulpa Police say they will now pursue charges against him in Creek County as well.

6/11/2015 Related Story: Search Continues For McAlester Prison Escapee