NEWKIRK — An Arkansas City man was sentenced Tuesday in connection with a fatal head-on crash this summer north of Newkirk, Okla., that killed his wife and seriously injured multiple others, according to Kay NewsCow.
Robert Dwayne Mahoney, 36, entered a no contest plea and was sentenced by Kay County District Judge David Bandy to 25 years in prison on a first-degree manslaughter charge and will be required to serve at least 15 years. He also received a 10-year sentence with five years suspended on additional charges related to the case.
Mahoney waived his 10 days to remain in Kay County and will be transported to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections as soon as possible. As part of his sentence, he is ordered to complete drug treatment while incarcerated and must register as a meth offender upon release.
Details of the case were reported by Sharon Rowen of Kay NewsCow.
The charges stem from a July 3 traffic crash at U.S. 77 and Gate Road, north of Newkirk, investigated by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
According to an OHP affidavit, Mahoney was driving a 2015 Ford Explorer southbound when he entered the northbound lane to pass and collided with a 2017 Ford Edge driven by 29-year-old Ashley Smith, of Arkansas City. Both vehicles attempted to avoid the crash before colliding in the grass just off the roadway.
Mahoney’s wife, 42-year-old Dawnetta Buell, was a passenger in the Explorer and was pronounced dead at the scene. Smith and a juvenile passenger in her vehicle were hospitalized. An infant boy riding in Mahoney’s vehicle and another adult passenger were also injured.
Onboard vehicle data showed Mahoney was traveling about 83 mph two seconds before impact and slowed to 52 mph at the time of the crash, which occurred around 4 p.m., according to the affidavit.
Investigators determined Mahoney was driving with a suspended license and was on probation in Kay County at the time for distribution of a controlled substance. A child neglect charge was filed after troopers determined the infant’s car seat was not secured inside the vehicle.
During sentencing Tuesday, Smith delivered an emotional victim impact statement, describing extensive injuries that required five surgeries in the days following the crash. She told the court the incident permanently altered her life, leaving her with lasting physical pain, anxiety, and significant financial hardship.
Smith said she stood for the first time with assistance on Oct. 10 and took her first steps weeks later. She said she remains determined to continue healing and urged others to pay attention while driving.
