An Oklahoma teenager is facing manslaughter charges after allegedly striking and killing a 22-year-old woman with his truck, then driving around for two hours with her body in the bed of his vehicle before pulling up to his mother's workplace. The victim, Raynesha Scyrus, was riding an electric scooter home from work when she was hit near Rockwell Avenue and Melrose Lane in Oklahoma City. Authorities say the 17-year-old driver claimed he thought he had hit a deer, a detail Master Sergeant Gary Knight of the Oklahoma City Police Department described as "pretty unusual."
Background
The incident occurred on the evening of Sept. 10, around 8 p.m. According to police, the teen allegedly struck Scyrus while driving down a dark road. Instead of stopping immediately, the driver reportedly called his mother and drove to her place of employment. It was only when they arrived at the workplace that the damage to the truck and the presence of the body in the bed were discovered. Police were not called to the scene until approximately 10:15 p.m., more than two hours after the initial collision.
Investigations suggest the teen may have been using his phone while driving, possibly recording video. The GoFundMe page established for the Scyrus family alleges that the driver knowingly drove around with Raynesha Scyrus in his truck bed during that two-hour window. By the time officers arrived, Scyrus had been pronounced dead.
The Charges
The 17-year-old has been charged with manslaughter, driving under the influence (DUI), and leaving the scene of a fatal crash. Police stated that the driver was allegedly intoxicated and speeding at the time of the collision. Due to his age, the teen is being processed through the juvenile court system, and his court records have been sealed. A judge set his bond at $100,000 and ordered that he refrain from driving if released.
The victim’s mother, Tameka Scyrus, has expressed deep skepticism regarding the teen's account, particularly the claim that he mistook the collision for hitting a deer. "I never seen a deer around here," she told local CBS affiliate KWTV. "And where did that two hours go?" Tameka Scyrus has stated she wants the driver charged as an adult.
Key Takeaways
- Raynesha Scyrus, 22, was killed while riding an electric scooter in Oklahoma City.
- The 17-year-old driver allegedly claimed he thought he hit a deer.
- Police say the driver pulled up to his mother's job with the victim's body in his truck bed.
- There was a two-hour delay between the alleged crash and police being notified.
- The teen faces charges of manslaughter, DUI, and leaving the scene of a fatal crash.
- The victim's mother is advocating for the suspect to be charged as an adult.
What's Next
The case remains under review in the juvenile court system, with formal charging status pending. The victim's family continues to seek answers regarding the timeline of the two-hour delay and the driver's actions following the collision. Legal proceedings will determine whether the juvenile status of the suspect will be maintained or if a transfer to adult court is pursued.
Editorial Note
The discovery of a deceased victim in the bed of a suspect's truck after a two-hour drive highlights a disturbing lack of immediate accountability in this fatal collision. As the investigation proceeds, the focus remains on the driver's alleged intoxication and the critical questions surrounding the delay in calling authorities.