Father who fled fatal crash killing his 16-year-old daughter sentenced to prison in Oklahoma

An Oklahoma father who fled on foot after a high-speed rollover crash that killed his 16-year-old daughter was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday, 8 June, more than two years after the fatal collision.

Elliott Binney pleaded guilty in April to one count each of first-degree manslaughter, leaving the scene of a fatal accident, and transporting an open container, as well as two counts of child neglect in connection with the death of his daughter, Shelby Binney. He was also handed five years of probation, the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office confirmed.

How the crash unfolded

The collision occurred on 11 January 2024, according to an arrest report obtained by PEOPLE. Officers who arrived at the scene found Shelby had been thrown from the vehicle and "was not expected to live." One other victim was found sitting outside the car on the passenger side, and two further juvenile victims had been pulled from the wreckage.

Witnesses told police the vehicle had been overtaking two cars at high speed in a no-passing zone marked by double yellow lines, in wet conditions. One witness estimated the car was travelling at approximately 70 mph before the crash. It was raining at the time. Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said in a statement that Binney lost control while driving at speed, causing the vehicle to roll over multiple times.

Vodka found, driver fled on foot

An unsealed bottle of vodka was discovered on the ground beside the open passenger door of the vehicle. A witness told police they had seen Binney leave the scene on foot. The adult victim at the scene told officers that she and Binney had been arguing before the crash occurred.

Binney was detained by police approximately 40 miles south of the crash site in Checotah. He apologised for attempting to overtake in the rain and blamed the crash on the vehicle striking an oil spot. He also admitted to officers that the group had purchased a bottle of vodka and that "he had drank a gulp of it while he drove his family back to his home," the report states. He confirmed to officers that he had fled the scene and was subsequently taken to a local hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries.

Why fleeing sealed his fate

Despite the presence of vodka and Binney's admission, the district attorney said there was "no provable evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that [Binney] was driving his family while he was impaired." Kunzweiler was unambiguous about what ultimately led to the prison term. "What Mr. Binney did after the rollover crash is what got him a prison sentence," he said.