Oologah Students Witness Band Parent Hurt In Stillwater Tragedy

Members of the Oologah High School marching band witnessed the tragedy that happened during the OSU homecoming parade, including a parent being critically hurt.

The Stallion Battalion was originally scheduled to march in the 70th position, but was moved up to the 18th slot shortly before the parade began. After the band was finished marching, the students spread out with some of them and their parents congregating at the end of the parade route to watch the rest of the bands and floats.

They saw a car plow into the crowd. Parent Shari Bates was critically hurt. Friends said she was flown to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City for surgery. Band directors immediately sent out a text to all students to return to the buses. They then sent a text to all parents informing them that all the students were safe.

10/24/2015: Related Story: Three Dead At OSU Homecoming Parade In Stillwater

School leaders and the band directors decided not to attend the OSU game as planned, electing to return to Oologah several hours early. The band was met by parents and members of the community and participated in an impromptu prayer circle. 

The woman who Stillwater Police arrested after the crash was a 2008 graduate of Oologah High School. Adacia Chambers, 25, was a four-year member of the marching band.