Woman Jailed In Death Of Tulsa Man Driving Antique Ford

Tulsa Police arrested a woman for first-degree manslaughter in a Tulsa crash involving a vintage automobile. 

Monday, June 22nd 2015, 7:59 am

By: News On 6


Tulsa Police arrested a woman for first-degree manslaughter in a Tulsa crash involving a vintage automobile. 

Police identify the woman as Whitney Tatum Wheeler, 41, of Tulsa. They say Wheeler had been drinking when she rear-ended an antique Ford car on 51st Street between Lewis and Harvard just after 8 p.m. Sunday.

The crash killed Gregory Bush, 68, also of Tulsa.

Police said Bush was driving a 1920 Ford Model A. However, Ford didn't start building the Model A until 1927, so if it the vehicle was a 1920 it was a Model T.

Officers say Wheeler was speeding westbound on 51st when her Jeep rear-ended Bush's Ford which was also heading westbound.

6/21/2015 Related Story: Tulsa Police Investigate Fatal Wreck On 51st Street

Officers said Bush died when his car rolled over.

"We don't believe he was ejected at all; in fact, we've got a cut seat belt in there which is typical when first responders get on the scene and cut them out of there so they can perform first aid on them," said Corporal Steve Wood.

The arresting officer said Wheeler denied having anything to drink but smelled strongly of alcohol and had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. She told police she was trying to avoid an accident and swerved to miss the vehicle in front of her, according to an arrest report.

She refused to have her blood drawn later at the hospital, but a judge signed a search warrant to have her blood tested. 

Bush's female passenger was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Wheeler is being held on a $50,500 bond for first-degree manslaughter and three traffic violations.

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