Trial Begins For Man Accused Of DUI Crash That Killed ORU Soccer Player

The murder trial has started for the man accused of driving drunk, speeding and killing an ORU soccer player in a fiery crash.

Prosecutors said Nicholas Robinson's blood alcohol level was four and a half times the legal limit when he crashed into Eugene Quaynor in 2022. Prosecutors say Quaynor was doing nothing wrong, just sitting at a red light.

Quaynor was from Ghana, and in 2019, got a scholarship to come play soccer at ORU. Prosecutors say that same year, the suspect, Nicholas Robinson, pled guilty to his first aggravated DUI. Now he's charged with DUI again and murder.

Prosecutors say Robinson was driving 73 in a 45 near on 71st near Yale, then slammed into the back of the Quaynor's car, pushing it across the intersection.

Five eyewitnesses to the crash testified Tuesday and said the sound of the crash was violent. Witnesses say after they heard it, they saw the victim’s car catch fire.

They ran over to help and saw Quaynor moving inside the car, and they tried everything to break out the windows, and pull him out, but the fire was too intense. Some of the witnesses say they went over to Robinson's car and he appeared intoxicated.

A Tulsa Police traffic investigator testified Robinson was slurring his words and did a field sobriety test at the hospital and that led to getting a search warrant for Robinson’s blood.

Robinson's attorney argues Robinson had a head injury from the collision which can cause symptoms similar to someone being intoxicated. His attorney says people were with Robinson before the crash who testify, Robinson didn't seem impaired.

Attorneys expect the trial to wrap up by Thursday.