2 killed in NY’s Day accidents near Coweta

By John Dobberstein, Editor

COWETA — A jogger visiting from out of town and a passenger in a 2-car crash died in separate incidents in Wagoner County, authorities said. 

At 1:26 a.m. New Year’s Day, a vehicle traveling southbound in the northbound lane of Highway 72 near E. 181st Street South, driven by 33-year-old Danny Ramirez of Arlington, Texas, collided head-on with another vehicle traveling north in the northbound lane, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said. 

The other vehicle, driven by a 17-year-old juvenile female from Pioneer, La., swerved left to avoid the other vehicle but Ramirez swerved right and the collision occurred, Troopers said. 

A passenger in Ramirez’s vehicle — Estefania Rivera, 26, of Dallas, died in the collision. Two passengers in the juvenile’s vehicle suffered injuries. 

About 7 hours later, a man from Washington state who was out jogging was hit by an alleged drunk driver and was killed. 

OHP said the jogger, 31-year-old Noel D. Brandon of Maple Valley, Wa. was running eastbound on a grassy roadside area north of E. 141st Street South, near S. 261st East Avenue, when a vehicle driven by 27-year-old Erik Rosales-Leon of Tulsa, departed the roadway to the left, striking Noel.

Rosales-Leon and his vehicle were later recovered and the driver is facing charges of driving under the influence, second-degree murder, and leaving the scene of a fatal collision.

The family of Brandon has started a GoFundMe to raise funds to support the family and help care for a 4-year-old son who will be left without a father. 

Family said Noel, an HVAC technician and instructor, was a “loving father, devoted son, loyal friend, incredible uncle, and passionate outdoorsman.” He was training for an ultramarathon when he was killed. “In an instant, a life so full of love, light, humor, generosity and purpose was taken from us far too soon,” his family said. 

“Whether he was out fishing, scouting for elk, riding down a dirt road, or simply just exploring nature, he didn’t just love the outdoors — he shared it with his family and friends.”