Rogers Co. District Attorney Hit, Injured By Wrong Way Driver

Rogers County District Attorney Matt Ballard was involved in a traffic collision in Claremore just after midnight Saturday, March 5, according to Claremore Police.

CPD says Ballard was returning from the Oklahoma City area with his daughter in the car. Surveillance footage and data retrieved from Ballard's vehicle confirm that he was hit by another driver who was going the wrong way. Investigators say a black truck was driving north into Claremore but driving in the southbound lanes of Highway 66. They say Ballard took a legal green light left turn at King Road, and as crossing the lanes, the other driver crashed into him.

Claremore Police say Ballard was taken to a Hosptial where he spent two days, his daughter is also okay. The other driver was released from the scene without any injuries.

Ballard and his family released the following statement about the incident:

“Speaking for both myself and my family, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for the outpouring of love, prayer, and support over recent days.

For those who haven’t heard, one of my children and I were struck by a wrong-way driver on SH 66 in the early hours of Saturday morning while heading home from a youth athletic event in Norman.

Thankfully doctors say we can both expect a full recovery. Our confidence in the fine work of law enforcement is unwavering as they work toward a complete investigation. At the same time, we’re disheartened, although sadly not surprised, some people are spinning up and spreading false rumors. While we await the conclusion of the investigation followed by the public release of all officer findings, we feel it is necessary to share some facts known to the family.

My goal has always been to conduct my personal and professional life with honesty and integrity. So I think it’s important to assure our neighbors and my constituents. I was not impaired or under the influence of any intoxicant. Any statement to the contrary is blatantly false. Anyone who may have driven by and witnessed the aftermath of the crash likely saw someone completing a field sobriety test… that person wasn’t me or anyone from my vehicle.

Other narratives are nothing more than efforts to defame my reputation. As is typical with investigations of vehicular accidents involving injuries, it is likely to take weeks or months to complete the investigation. We are all thankful for the professionals who worked the wreck, as well as the medical personnel at Pafford Ambulance, Hillcrest Claremore, and the emergency, neuro, and trauma teams at Ascension St. John in Tulsa for their dedicated work. I look forward to a full recovery and am so thankful my little girl is healing quickly and didn’t have to be hospitalized.

I sincerely thank those showing concern for me and all of my family during this time.”