On April 17, 2016, David Stephen Blair II, of Midwest City, was driving his SUV northbound on I-35 in Edmond. Witnesses say Blair was driving aggressively, traveling at a high rate of speed, changing lanes unsafely, and even using the grass median to pass other vehicles. Soon Blair entered the grass median and crashed through a cable barrier, traveling about 200 feet along the median. His vehicle then veered left into the southbound lanes, striking a minivan.
The driver of the minivan and his 2-year-old daughter were killed in the collision. Blair and his passenger were transported to a local hospital, where the passenger later died.
Toxicology reports indicated that Blair had PCP, marijuana, and benzodiazepine in his bloodstream at the time of the crash. On August 30, 2016, he was charged with three counts of second degree murder in the crash; however, he disappeared from the hospital and was not taken into custody until police tracked down his whereabouts in December.
Now, Blair has entered a plea agreement with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to three counts of second degree murder. In his plea, the defendant admitted that he had PCP in his system and was driving "recklessly and too fast" for conditions at the time of the triple fatality DUI.
Oklahoma County District Judge Michele McElwee sentenced him to 30 years in prison in accordance with the plea agreement.
Second degree murder is defined in 21 O.S. § 701.8 as a death resulting under either of the following circumstances:
1. When perpetrated by an act imminently dangerous to another person and evincing a depraved mind, regardless of human life, although without any premeditated design to effect the death of any particular individual; or
2. When perpetrated by a person engaged in the commission of any felony other than the unlawful acts set out [as first degree felony murder].
Had the defendant taken his chances at trial or entered a blind plea, he would have faced 10 years to life in prison for each count of second degree murder.
Image credit: Josh Hallett
