Alleged Hit-and-Run Leads to Pursuit and Crash
A routine afternoon in Atoka took a dramatic turn Wednesday as a reported hit-and-run on East Court Street spiraled into a high-speed pursuit that ended in a crash, leaving one man injured and another in custody.
The incident began around 3:30 PM when Atoka Dispatch alerted authorities to a hit-and-run at the intersection of East Court and North Ohio. The suspect vehicle, a white Chevrolet Silverado with a distinctive black push guard, reportedly fled the scene after colliding with a gray Mitsubishi Mirage.
Witnesses told dispatch the Silverado was seen backing up at a dangerous speed down North Ohio, narrowly missing a child near East A Street before speeding west on East A.
Master Patrol Officer Peydon Griffith arrived to find the alleged victim, Marcus Hill, in distress on the sidewalk, suffering a seizure. After administering first aid, Officer Griffith learned that Hill's vehicle had been struck by the Silverado, whose driver allegedly failed to yield. Hill reported injuries to his neck, back, and waist.
The situation escalated quickly when Oklahoma State Trooper Jamie Miller radioed in that he had located the fleeing Silverado and was in pursuit northbound on Highway 69. Moments later, the airwaves crackled with news that the suspect vehicle had crashed after almost colliding with an Atoka County Deputy.
The driver was soon identified as Khyle Emerson, and initial reports suggested he appeared to be intoxicated.
Emerson
After ensuring the safety of the initial accident scene, Officer Griffith proceeded to the Atoka hospital to gather more information from both Hill and Emerson. Hill agreed to release his medical records as part of the investigation. At the hospital, Emerson was read his rights. When questioned about the incident, Emerson reportedly gave a hazy account, stating he didn't recall the crash but felt like someone was after him and he was trying to escape. Officer Griffith noted this could refer to the collision or the subsequent pursuit. Emerson was informed he would face charges for leaving the scene of an accident with injuries.
Back at the Atoka Police Department, surveillance footage of the initial hit-andrun painted a clearer picture. The video allegedly showed Emerson stopping at the intersection of North Ohio and East Court to allow another vehicle to pass.
Once clear, Emerson then allegedly pulled forward into the path of Hill's vehicle without yielding. After the collision, Emerson reportedly paused briefly before reversing at high speed away from the scene without offering help or exchanging information, narrowly missing the stop sign he had just used. The footage then showed the Silverado continuing on Ohio Street before turning west onto East A.
Further investigation revealed that Khyle Emerson's driver's license was currently revoked.
