Show summary Hide summary
Residents around the University of Oklahoma are urging the city to boost police patrols after a suspected DUI collision last Saturday killed a longtime neighbor and seriously wounded her husband. Authorities say a Norman officer observed the vehicle’s erratic driving before it struck the couple’s car head-on, a detail that has deepened community frustration and calls for action.
The crash occurred on Classen Avenue near Boyd and Brooks streets, just a block from the Wallaces’ home, according to court records and neighborhood accounts. Emergency crews were called after a vehicle driven by 22-year-old Andre McCoy reportedly crossed the centerline repeatedly and collided with the Wallaces’ car.
Charges and jail status
This week the Cleveland County district attorney charged McCoy with first-degree manslaughter and driving under the influence. Police say he also struck a third vehicle in the incident; occupants of that car were not injured.
Red Cross issues rare second emergency call: hospitals warn of blood shortages
Dexter Lawn circus takeover: juggling and acro yoga clubs draw crowds
- Victim: Shelia Wallace — pronounced dead before arrival at the hospital.
- Injured: R. Brown Wallace — hospitalized with serious injuries.
- Suspect: Andre McCoy, 22 — arrested and booked into the Cleveland County jail.
- Bond: $150,000. If bond is posted, the judge ordered conditions including no driving, no alcohol and no drugs.
- Witness: A Norman police officer reported seeing the suspect cross the double yellow lines multiple times and was reportedly preparing to activate emergency lights before the collision.
- Footage: Local news requested body-worn and dash-camera video; as of Thursday that material had not been released.
Neighbors describe a tight-knit block shaken by the loss. Several residents said they heard the impact and rushed outside, and many now want a visible law-enforcement presence during late hours and on busy stretches near campus.
Community reaction and next steps
People who live in the area say the crash feels preventable and that more traffic enforcement could deter dangerous behavior. City officials have not announced any immediate changes to patrol patterns; prosecutors are moving forward with charges while investigators continue to compile evidence.
The case raises broader safety issues for streets adjacent to the university, where students and long-time residents share the same roadways. For neighbors, the immediate demand is simple: fewer speeding and impaired drivers, and more patrols to keep walkers, cyclists and drivers safer.
Authorities have not released additional details about the investigation timeline. Court proceedings and any available camera footage could clarify what led up to the collision and why it occurred despite a nearby officer’s presence.
