Tulsa Man Sentenced To Life For Fatal New Year's Day Crash

Williams Bauders has been convicted of murder after driving a stolen truck that crashed into a car and killed a Tulsa hospice nurse.

Friday, October 10th 2014, 6:03 pm

By: Emory Bryan

Tulsa Man Sentenced To Life For Fatal New Year's Day Crash

A Tulsa county jury convicted Williams Bauders of murder Friday. Bauders was driving a stolen truck that crashed into a car and killed a woman on New Year's Day, 2014.

The trial lasted a week - the deliberation about four hours, even though the defendant and his attorney said he was guilty.

In addition to the murder charge, Bauders faced charges for driving the stolen truck, not having a license, and leaving the scene of a fatal crash. He was guilty on all counts.

The crash was horrific. The victim's car was hit broadside at high speed, on a neighborhood street. Christina Bradshaw, 46, was on her way to work on New Year's Day when she was killed. She was a home hospice nurse.

Her family has been dealing with that for the last 10 months.

"It's been difficult as you might imagine We managed to get through and see some finality. Hopefully this helps us move on," said Don Jones, Christina's father.

1/10/2014 Related Story: Suspect Charged With Murder In New Year's Day Hit-And-Run In Tulsa

It was 31-year-old Bill Bauders who caused the accident, as he was speeding away from a crime.

He was driving this stolen truck and trying to steal a trailer when he was spotted by neighbors and chased off.

During his escape he ran the truck into Bradshaw's car, then ran away from the scene.

Police captured him the next day and records show he admitted guilt then - but ultimately pleaded not guilty so the case went to trial.

Bauders came out of courtroom without saying anything. He headed off to prison; the jury recommended a life sentence - which equals 45 years.

His attorneys had asked for 15 years instead, but the jury gave out the maximum sentence for second degree murder.

"We didn't know what to expect, it's out of our hands, it's just the jury's decision, and we accepted it when the verdict came in," victim's father Don Jones said.

The mother of the man convicted Friday is facing a charge of intimidating a witness during the trial. That's a new development still unresolved.

Her son will face final sentencing in November.