Search fatalities

Ethan Isaiah Mestas

Age : 22

Gender : Male

Race : Latino/a/e

Date : 08/15/2022

Location : Interstate 35 between Tecumseh Road and Rock Creek Road

City : Norman

County : Cleveland

State : Oklahoma

Agency : Oklahoma Highway Patrol

Officer(s) :Nicholas Mills

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Passenger killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 08/15/2022, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Nicholas Mills attempted to stop a Ford Ranger on Interstate 35 in south Oklahoma City after observing an equipment violation and a turn-signal violation. The driver continued driving away while police pursued. During the pursuit, dispatch advised that the truck displayed stolen license plates. Court records later alleged the truck reached speeds exceeding 80 mph and that occupants threw items from the vehicle during the chase.
The pursuit continued south into Norman. Trooper Mills performed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) maneuver between Tecumseh Road and Rock Creek Road, causing the pickup to lose control, roll over multiple times, and eject both passengers. Ethan Isaiah Mestas, who was riding as a passenger, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Passenger Mercedes Martinez was critically injured and later died from her injuries. Driver Alex Carpenter survived.
Family members said Mestas had traveled from Pueblo, Colorado, to Oklahoma to support Martinez after recent deaths in her family. They described him as a home remodeler who enjoyed motocross and was known for his outgoing personality. His family questioned whether the pursuit should have continued over the underlying traffic violations and challenged the decision to use a TVI maneuver. Investigative reporting also cited research suggesting that many fleeing drivers reduce their speed after pursuits are discontinued, raising broader questions about Oklahoma Highway Patrol pursuit practices.
Trooper Mills was placed on administrative leave following the crash while the Oklahoma Highway Patrol conducted an internal investigation. In 2024, Mestas' parents filed a federal wrongful-death and civil rights lawsuit against Trooper Mills and Oklahoma Highway Patrol leadership. The complaint alleges the TVI constituted excessive force because it was used during a pursuit that began over minor traffic violations and a stolen vehicle investigation. In 2025 and 2026, the federal court allowed significant portions of the lawsuit to proceed, including claims challenging OHP training and supervision regarding high-speed tactical vehicle interventions.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.yahoo.com/news/destroyed-family-mourns-death-data-225200410.html
https://www.yahoo.com/news/second-passenger-august-ohp-pursuit-225400154.html
https://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/oklahoma/okwdce/5%3A2024cv00268/126123/52