A mother from Oklahoma, who just two years ago celebrated the birth of her daughter, was tragically killed in a sledding accident. Two friends involved have been charged with her murder.
Makayla Mitchell, 31, tied a sled to the back of her friend Angel Walger’s car, who is 22, late Sunday evening for some fun around Oklahoma City. Another friend, 24-year-old James Kirk, followed closely in his vehicle.
As Mitchell held onto the rope attached to Walger’s bumper, it unexpectedly frayed and snapped, leaving her stranded on the sled in the middle of the road.
Kirk, who was behind her, crashed into Mitchell, resulting in her death almost immediately, according to reports.
Authorities noted that both men exhibited signs of impairment at the scene. They face charges of second-degree murder and aggravated DUI. Kirk may also face additional charges concerning child endangerment, though it remains unclear if Mitchell’s 2-year-old daughter was present during the incident.
Mitchell’s sister, Ladidra Love, expressed her belief that the two men should not face severe legal consequences. “I don’t think they should be locked up for that. I doubt my sister would want that. It’s another loss for the community,” Love commented.
She shared that Mitchell’s pride was in her daughter, Genesis, whom she conceived against the odds after struggling with infertility. “Doctors said she couldn’t have children, but after much prayer, she did. It was such a joyful moment for all of us,” Love explained.
In a GoFundMe page established by Love, she stated that the tragic accident stemmed from “a series of reckless decisions made by others.”
“Makayla was a vibrant person who lived for her family. Those who knew her remember her infectious laugh that could brighten the darkest days. She always put others before herself. Her greatest joy was being a mother,” she wrote in the fundraiser.
Mitchell’s burial is set for February 7th, and the GoFundMe aimed at covering funeral costs and supporting Genesis has raised just over $500.
Separately, in Texas, a similar sledding accident claimed the life of 16-year-old Elizabeth Angle on the same Sunday. She was riding a sled attached to a Jeep with a friend when it veered off course and struck a tree.
