Truck driver jailed on $250,000 bond in fatal head-on collision on Highway 177

   STILLWATER — A Perry man accused of driving a flatbed truck left of center while under the influence of illegal drugs at 7:25 am on Oct. 22, 2025, on Highway 177 north of Stillwater, about one-quarter mile south of Lone Chimney Road has been jailed on $250,000 bond pending a July 6 court appearance at which he can seek a preliminary hearing on a first-degree manslaughter charge.

   If convicted of causing a head-on collision from which Megan Carter died three weeks later, Charles Mary Cooper, 43, could be imprisoned for four years to life, according to the homicide charge filed by Payne County Acting District Attorney Jose Villarreal this month.

   Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Matt Stacy, a member of the Traffic Homicide Unit, alleged in an affidavit, “During the investigation, it was determined that a white 2006 Chevrolet 3500, operated by Charles Cooper, was traveling northbound on US Highway 177. A white 2018 Ford Escape, operated by Megan Carter, was traveling southbound on US Highway 177.

   “The Chevrolet 3500 crossed the centerline and struck the front driver’s side of the Ford Escape. The Chevrolet 3500 was equipped with a flatbed, which was torn from the frame of the truck as it continued along the driver’s side of the Ford Escape. The Ford Escape then departed the roadway to the right, rolled over, and came to rest on its roof. Megan Carter was partially ejected from the vehicle during the collision.

   “The Chevrolet 3500 continued northbound before striking the Chevrolet 2500 (that was traveling southbound behind the Ford Escape) head-on in the southbound lanes of US Highway 177. Both vehicles then departed the roadway to the west where they came to rest.

   “Megan Carter sustained severe injuries…She was transported to St. John Medical Center in Tulsa where she was admitted in critical condition,” and remained hospitalized until she died on Nov. 12, 2025, the affidavit said. “Charles Cooper was transported by air to OU Medical Center, where he was also admitted in critical condition,” the affidavit said.

   The driver of the 2025 Chevrolet, 2500, Jesus Hernandez Alvaredo, who was traveling southbound behind the Ford Escape and also allegedly was struck head-on by the Chevrolet 3500 that Cooper was driving, sustained minor injuries and was treated and released at the scene, the affidavit said.

   A search warrant was obtained for Cooper’s vehicle, which had a green plastic bottle containing a glass smoking pipe; a small clear glass container with a powdery residue was also found that tested as methamphetamine, the affidavit alleged. Cooper’s blood samples tested positive for amphetamine,

   “Further investigation revealed that Cooper’s Oklahoma driver’s license expired on Nov. 30, 2024. Cooper also had a suspended driver’s license from the state of Missouri,” the affidavit alleged.

   “Cooper remained in critical condition and was unable to be interviewed for several weeks following the collision,” the affidavit said. On Jan. 20, 2026, during an interview while Cooper was still in ICU at OU Medical Center, “Cooper stated he did not recall the collision. He stated the truck he was driving belonged to (a man), who had allowed him to stay in a camper on his property. Cooper stated he believed he was returning from Stillwater after dumpster diving,” the affidavit said.

   “Cooper admitted he occasionally used methamphetamine as a substitute for his prescribed Adderall. He stated he had a valid prescription for Adderall but was unable to recall the prescribing physician’s name or provide documentation of the prescription. Cooper admitted the green smoking pipe located in the truck belonged to him and was used to smoke methamphetamine. He stated he last used methamphetamine approximately one week prior to the collision,” the affidavit alleged.

   “The investigation concluded that Charles Cooper was committing the misdemeanor crimes operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of illegal substances and operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license when he crossed the centerline, causing the collision that resulted in the death of Megan Carter,” the affidavit alleged.