Alva Review-Courier -

A Kansas man has been charged with manslaughter in the death of a motorcyclist in Woods County following an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) and the results of a blood toxicology test.

According to court records, the two vehicle collision occurred on April 2, 2016, about 3 p.m. on U.S. Highway 281 four miles south of Waynoka. The location was just north of the south entrance to Little Sahara State Park.

OHP Trooper Brock Morgan made the initial investigation of the scene. Blake Steven Wondra, 23, of Ensign, Kansas, was the driver of a 2005 black Ford pickup which had collided with a 2010 orange and black Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Odie Robert Quigley, 64, of Elk City. Waynoka EMS transported Quigley from the scene to the helipad located at the south park entrance. He was flown to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City.

Trooper Morgan took a statement from Wondra who said he was southbound on U.S. Highway 281 and realized he had missed his turn so he pulled to the southbound shoulder and stopped. He said he had seen a motorcycle behind him but thought it had pulled over so he made a U-turn to go back northbound on the highway. His pickup and the motorcycle collided. Wondra’s passenger, Brittany Palmber, also said they made a U-turn. She said she was distracted by her phone and did not see the motorcycle.

Wondra gave a voluntary blood sample which was drawn by a Waynoka EMT at the scene.

A witness at the scene, Dennis Connor of Woodward, said he was northbound on U.S. Highway 281 south of the collision and saw the black pickup pull toward the shoulder. He saw the motorcycle move toward the center line for safety. He said the black pickup then made a U-turn in front of the motorcycle.

Trooper Linda Hartley did a reconstruction of the collision that showed the Wondra pickup pulled toward the west paved shoulder of the highway and began an illegal U-turn in the roadway when he was struck by the motorcycle. After impact, the pickup came to a stop facing east across both lanes of traffic. Quigley was ejected from the motorcycle, coming to rest in the east ditch just in front of the pickup. The motorcycle continued a short distance southeast coming to rest in the east ditch.

Wondra and Palmberg were not injured, and emergency responders found them walked around by the pickup. Quigley was wearing a helmet and was found lying in the east ditch on his back with his head to the north. Quigley was admitted to OU Medical Center in critical condition with head, arm, leg and internal injuries and died two days later on April 4.

Toxicology results from the OSBI indicated the presence of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. The results indicate the cocaine was not necessarily a recent use. Results also showed the presence of cannabinoids, and the numbers indicated fairly recent use.

According to the report, the highest density of cannabinoid receptors are found in parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thoughts, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movements. Thinking and reflexes are slowed, making it hard to respond to sudden, unexpected events. Also a driver’s ability to “track” (stay in lane) through curves, to brake quickly and to maintain speed and proper distance between cars is affected. Skills can be impaired for at least four to six hours after smoking a single marijuana cigarette.

Blake Steve Wondra, 23, of Ensign, Kansas, has been charged with manslaughter – first degree, a felony. The crime is punishable by imprisonment for not less than four years. A warrant has been issued for Wondra’s arrest.