2 Missouri residents jailed for wreck that killed teen from Coffeyville
INDEPENDENCE — A judge increased a bond for one of two Missouri people arrested after a high-speed chase that resulted in a two-vehicle wreck and a fatality in Coffeyville.
The high-speed chase began in Owasso, Oklahoma, on Friday, Sept. 26, and concluded in Coffeyville at 4:30 p.m. at Eighth and Patterson Boulevard when Tenisha Diane Mayberry, 38, driving a 2024 Jeep northbound on Patterson, failed to yield at a stop light and slammed into the passenger side of an eastbound Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Maia O’Connell, 17, of Coffeyville. O’Connell suffered injuries and was treated and released at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center.
Her younger sister, Serafina O’Connell, 15, was seated on the passenger side. Serafina sustained serious injuries and was flown to St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for advanced medical care, the Chronicle reported. She died Monday evening from her injuries, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol’s preliminary report online.
Both O’Connell sisters attended Field Kindley High School. At the time of the accident, they were en route to Field Kindley’s homecoming coronation festivities at Veterans Memorial Stadium, the Chronicle reported.
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Coffeyville USD 445 announced on social media Tuesday that the district lost a student, though it did not name the student.
“It is with deep sorrow that we share the heartbreaking news that one of our students who was injured in Friday’s accident has passed away. Our entire school community is grieving this tremendous loss.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the student’s family and loved ones, and we ask our community to keep them in your thoughts during this very difficult time.
“Counselors and support staff will continue to be available at school in the days ahead to provide care and support to students and staff as we process this loss together,” the announcement said. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, the announcement said no further details would be shared.
Mayberry and her passenger, Cortez Wasson Jr., 19, both of Blue Springs, Missouri, appeared in Montgomery County District Court in Independence this week. Mayberry’s bond was initially set at $100,000 but increased to $500,000 on Thursday. Wasson’s bond was set at $75,000. An update on his bond amount, if any, was not available.
Authorities arrested Mayberry late Friday afternoon after the accident. She and Wasson received injuries and were treated at the Coffeyville hospital and released into custody.
A complaint filed Tuesday in Montgomery County charged Mayberry with first degree murder, aggravated battery and fleeing and eluding law enforcement. Wasson is charged with two misdemeanors and an infraction: Possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to wear a seat belt.
Mayberry and Wasson are also scheduled to be charged in several Oklahoma counties on various violations related to the chase. A case filed in Tulsa County alleges that Mayberry and Wasson committed larceny and obstructed an officer. Mayberry faces additional counts of assaulting and battering a police officer and endangering others while eluding police. Her bond is set at $500,000 in the Oklahoma court file.
An Owasso police officer approached Mayberry and Wasson inside the Target store about 3:45 p.m. on Sept. 26 after learning that closed-circuit cameras caught them hiding what turned out to be $177 worth of clothing items on their persons. The two ran off and the officer pursued them into the parking lot, ordering them to stop, according to an affidavit filed in the case. Wasson split off in another direction. Mayberry ran to the Jeep, got in the driver’s seat and the officer opened the passenger door and attempted to keep Mayberry from leaving. Body cam footage reveals that the officer continued to order Mayberry to stop, and Mayberry replied, “No.” Mayberry started the Jeep. Wasson arrived at the Jeep and Mayberry told him to “get her,” referring to the officer. The officer attempted to gain control of Mayberry’s hands, but Mayberry broke free and placed the Jeep into reverse. The officer remained in the open passenger doorway as Mayberry quickly reversed, causing the door and vehicle to strike and drag the officer into the main aisle of the parking lot, the affidavit said.
Mayberry then slid the Jeep into drive and drove toward the parking lot exit, picking up Wasson before leaving. Another officer arrived and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Mayberry, who refused to stop, initiating the pursuit that reached speeds in excess of 100 mph. The pursuit continued into Coffeyville, the affidavit said.
The first Owasso officer suffered injuries and was treated at the hospital and later released, according to the affidavit and a posting on the Owasso Police Department’s social media page.
Mayberry and Wasson remain incarcerated in the Montgomery County Department of Corrections and will return to court next week and on Oct. 21, according to court records. Mayberry told a judge she intended to hire her own attorney.
