Family Seeks Justice Over 2 Years After Father, Tow Truck Driver Was Struck And Killed On Turner Turnpike

A Tulsa family is still looking for answers following the death of their father, who was killed by a driver while he was working along the Turner Turnpike in July of 2021.

“He was just standing on the side of the road, doing his job, trying to come home to his kids that night, his family, and he didn't get that chance because someone didn't want to pay attention,” she said.

Lyndsey Daggs hit and killed Donovan Knippenburg and has been charged with negligent homicide.

Related: Tow Truck Driver Hit and Killed While Working On Turner Turnpike

Hailey Knippenburg, the victim's daughter, says the Creek County's DA office asked if the victims' family would accept giving the driver a plea deal that wouldn't include jail time.

“Obviously, I said no to that because I don't understand,” she said. “I don't know in what situation you can kill someone, and you literally don't have to pay any consequences for it.

Hailey says giving Daggs a fair sentence would be closure for her family.

Donovan Knippenburg was a tow truck driver who would do anything to make sure people were safe. 

“I've seen him pull cars out of frozen creeks like he risked his life multiple times just to get a car out for someone or to make sure that someone's car gets somewhere safe,” said Hailey. “Like they're not stranded on the side of the road.”

Hailey says her father deserves justice and believes the plea deal is anything but. 

“I want them to consider if that was their dad or their family if they would want the case to be put on the back burner like it has been so far, and if they would accept that plea deal for their father, honestly,” she said.

News On 6 spoke with the County Creek DA's Office on the phone on Monday to get an update on Daggs' case. They said they were unable to talk about a pending case.

Lyndsey Daggs is scheduled for a pre-trial in March.

This will be Hailey's third Christmas without her father, Donovan.