Driver charged with murder in fatal head-on collision on Highway 177 free on $300,000 bond

 STILLWATER — A 34-year-old woman from Noble County accused of driving a Honda CR-V under the influence of alcohol during a fatal head-on collision with a Ford Ranger on Highway 177 in Payne County has been freed on $300,000 bond pending an Aug. 8 court appearance on a second-degree murder charge or in the alternative first-degree manslaughter.

   If convicted of either felony count in the death of Skylar Whipple, the defendant Jewell Inez Horinek of Marland could be given a life prison term, according to court documents filed by Payne County Acting District Attorney Jose Villarreal.

   Horinek, who was arraigned on June 16, has also been charged with DUI involving injuries to a passenger, Joeseph Whipple, for which she could receive a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $2,500 fine if convicted of the misdemeanor count.

   “On Feb. 21, 2026, at approximately 6:14 am, Trooper Christian Ford responded to a fatal motor vehicle collision on US Highway 177, approximately one-half mile south of Gunsmoke Road in Payne County,” according to an affidavit by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Matt Stacy, a member of the OHP Traffic Homicide Unit.

   Horinek was driving a 2017 Honda CR-V southbound on Highway 177 “when she crossed left of center into the northbound lane of travel and struck a 2003 Ford Ranger operated by Skylar Whipple. The collision caused the Ford Ranger to overturn. Skylar Whipple sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. Passenger Joeseph Whipple sustained injuries,” the affidavit alleged.

   “Horinek admitted she fell asleep while driving home and crossed into the opposing lane of travel. Horinek stated she had been with friends throughout the night and had consumed approximately four Michelob Ultra beers. Horinek advised her last alcoholic beverage was consumed at approximately 1 am.

   “Joeseph Whipple reported that he and Skylar Whipple were traveling northbound toward Wichita, Kansas, when he observed headlights enter their lane of travel. He stated Skylar Whipple attempted to avoid the collision but was unable to do so before impact,” the affidavit alleged.

   After Horinek refused to provide a blood sample and evaluation by a Drug Recognition Expert, investigators obtained search warrants for a blood sample, cell phone, vehicle and hospital specimens, the affidavit said.

   “A forensic examination of Horinek’s cellular telephone revealed activity at the Osage Nation Casino in Ponca City during the hours preceding the collision. Video surveillance obtained from the casino showed Horinek consuming multiple alcoholic beverages over several hours including beer, mixed drinks and a shot of alcohol. The investigation determined Horinek left the casino property for the final time at approximately 2:15 am, less than four hours before the fatal collision,” the affidavit alleged.

   “A download of the Honda CR-V Airbag Control Module revealed pre-crash steering input consistent with a gradual drift across the centerline into oncoming traffic. No braking, steering correction or other evasive action was detected prior to impact. Toxicological testing performed by the Oklahoma State Bureau Investigation on hospital specimens collected from Horinek revealed an ethyl alcohol concentration of .094,” the affidavit alleged.

   “The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Skylar Whipple died from multiple blunt force injuries sustained in the collision,” including multiple rib fractures, a fractured arm, pelvic fractures and other significant traumatic injuries,” the affidavit alleged.

   In all, 31 witnesses have been listed for the prosecution including Payne County sheriff deputies, Stillwater Police Department and Osage Nation Police Department officers, OHP troopers, Stillwater Medical Center and LifeNet staff, Stillwater Fire Department staff, and a representative from the Osage Nation Casino.