United States of America v. Tyler Ray Thompson

Tulsa, Oklahoma, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with involuntary manslaughter in Indian Country.

Digested by: Kent Morlan

In March 2024, Tyler Ray Thompson, 29, began his day by consuming methamphetamine and marijuana. Thompson had never held a valid driver’s license and told investigators that he usually drove only in neighborhoods. On the date of the incident, he claims that his significant other, Nancy Moore, drove them to her dentist’s appointment but could not drive afterward because she was under anesthesia. After Thompson purchased more marijuana, he attempted to drive on a busy highway. On the drive home, he failed to stop at a red light and struck the rear end of a tractor-trailer while driving at approximately 57 miles per hour. Nancy Moore died from blunt force trauma.

The toxicology report confirmed that Thompson had methamphetamine, amphetamine, THC, hydroxy-THC, and THCA in his blood when he was treated at the hospital shortly after the crash.

Thompson is a citizen of the Muskogee Creek Nation. He was previously released on bond but was taken into custody after violating the terms of his pretrial release in July. Court documents show that after pleading guilty and while awaiting sentencing for this offense, he tested positive for marijuana eight times, for amphetamines seven times, failed to appear for required drug tests, and missed six scheduled mental-health treatment appointments. Thompson will remain in custody, pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prison

The FBI and the Pryor Police Department investigated the case with assistance from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The Defendant was found guilty and was sentenced to 64 months in prison.