Wes Watkins charged in couple's deaths

Tuesday, April 27th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -- Former U.S. Rep. Wes Watkins was charged with two counts of negligent homicide in Payne County District Court on Tuesday in the traffic deaths of two Oklahoma State University students.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Drew Hamilton reported that Watkins' inattentive driving caused the accident that killed Brian Cullen, 32, and his wife, Ardith Cullen, 34.

The OHP report said Watkins' minivan hit the Cullens' car, pushing it into oncoming traffic on U.S. Highway 177. A tanker truck and another car collided with the Cullens' car.

Two of the Cullens' children were injured.

Payne County District Attorney Rob Hudson said Watkins has an attorney and is arranging to meet with the judge for his arraignment.

Negligent homicide can carry a maximum of one year in the county jail. However, Hudson does not think he will seek a jail sentence because of Watkins' remorse and because of the facts of the case.

Hudson said he expected to negotiate a deferred sentence, which he said was not unusual in similar cases.