TULSA, Okla. (WKRC) – An Oklahoma father has been sentenced to prison following a January 2024 crash that killed his 16-year-old daughter.
Elliott Binney, 38, received a five-year prison sentence and five years of probation on Monday after pleading guilty to several charges, including first-degree manslaughter, according to the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office.
The incident occurred on January 11, when Binney lost control of an SUV carrying family members, causing it to roll over multiple times. His daughter, Shelby Binney, was critically injured and later died from her injuries.
Authorities said several juvenile passengers were also in the vehicle at the time of the accident. Witnesses reported that the SUV was traveling at a high rate of speed in rainy conditions and passing other vehicles in a no-passing zone.
An open bottle of vodka was discovered near the scene, and Binney admitted to drinking from it while driving. Following the crash, he fled on foot and was apprehended approximately 40 miles away in Checotah.
Despite the presence of the vodka bottle and Binney's admission, prosecutors noted there was insufficient evidence to prove he was legally impaired during the crash.
“What Mr. Binney did after the rollover crash is what got him a prison sentence,” District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler stated.