Police Officer Hurt, Wife Killed In Motorcycle Wreck

Monday, December 3rd 2007, 10:09 am

By: News On 6

A Bartlesville woman is dead and her husband is in critical condition. The couple was hit by a car while riding together on their motorcycle Saturday afternoon. The fatal crash happened after they had taken part in a toy run. News On 6 anchor Terry Hood reports Gary and Jill McManus had only been married for a few months.

Gary McManus is a longtime officer with the Bartlesville Police Department. Jill McManus was a legal secretary in Tulsa. The tragic accident happened minutes after the couple had spent their day helping under-privileged children.

Bartlesville police were called to Tuxedo and Highway 75 around two Saturday afternoon. A car pulling out of QuikTrip had been broadsided by a motorcycle; its passengers had been thrown over the handlebars. The driver was Gary McManus or Mac to his close friends. Heâ€™s a senior patrol officer for Bartlesville Police.

â€œDedicated. Spent his whole life in this profession. This has been his life. I don't know that Gary has done anything else,â€ said interim Bartlesville Police Chief Tom Holland.

The 23-year veteran suffered a serious head injury. His wife survived the initial crash, but Jill McManus died Saturday night. Investigators say the McManus' were driving less than 25-miles an hour and police believe a truck was blocking the view of the woman who pulled out in front of them. Neither was wearing a helmet.

â€It's a question that you hate to even have asked to you because everyone has the right to do as they want. Mac didn't wear a helmet and Jill didn't wear a helmet because Mac didn't, that's their right,â€ said Glen Peterson with the Christian Motorcyclists Association, which organized the toy run.

Glen Peterson is Gary's longtime friend. Both are leaders in the local chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association. The group had just delivered hundreds of toys to the Salvation Army during a toy run. Gary and Jill were on their way home, getting ready for Saturday night's parade. Jill's death is devastating, Peterson says. But, the couple's faith is rock-solid and Peterson is confident that whatever happens is at the hands of a higher power.

â€œIf something should happen to Gary and we're just believing that it won't happen to Gary. But, if it does the only thing I can say is he'll be right there at the foot of the Lord. He'll be with Jesus and Jill both and they'll be in Heaven,â€ said Glen Peterson with the Christian Motorcyclists Association.

The woman driving the car and her baby were not hurt. No charges have been filed. Jill McManus' funeral is Tuesday in Bartlesville. Peterson says his group will ride in a toy run in Tulsa this weekend because it's something Gary and Jill would want.

Watch the video: Motorcycle Wreck Injures Policeman, Kills Wife