OKLAHOMA CITY – In a chilling turn of justice, WILLIAM AARON DAVID PATCHELL, 26, of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, has been sentenced to serve sixty months in federal prison for involuntary manslaughter. The sentence came after Patchell’s reckless driving led to a catastrophic collision that took two young lives and left a family reeling.
On July 2019, a moment of heedless speed on rural roads turned tragic as Patchell barreled into a family vehicle at over twice the posted speed limit. The consequences were devastating: the deaths of two children, the untimely birth of a third child, and severe injuries to two adults. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) investigation revealed that Patchell’s car was traveling in excess of 80 miles per hour when the collision occurred, with his excessive speed being the direct cause.
Patchell initially faced charges in Garvin County District Court for Manslaughter in the First Degree but saw those charges dismissed on September 7, 2021, following the landmark McGirt v. Oklahoma ruling.
On November 2, 2021, a federal grand jury indicted Patchell on two counts of involuntary manslaughter, with the case proceeding in federal court due to the victims’ membership in a federally recognized Indian tribe and the occurrence within the Chickasaw Nation’s jurisdiction.
Patchell pleaded guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter on April 8, 2022, acknowledging responsibility for the deaths of the two children. Today’s sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Patrick R. Wyrick, who also mandated three years of supervised release following his prison term.
The FBI Oklahoma City Field Office and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol conducted the investigation that led to Patchell’s conviction, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Noble prosecuting the case. Those seeking further information are directed to court filings for additional details.
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Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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