Oklahoma City woke up to heartbreak after a night of winter fun turned into a crushing tragedy. Thirty‑one‑year‑old Makayla Mitchell died Sunday near Northwest 81st Street and Northwest Walker Avenue after a sledding stunt went horribly wrong.
Makayla had been riding on a sled being pulled behind a vehicle driven by 22‑year‑old Angel Walzier. Friends and neighbors say the chilly evening had brought people out to enjoy the rare snow, but the joy turned into a nightmare when the rope tethering the sled to the car snapped. Makayla was thrown into the path of traffic and hit by another vehicle moments later.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene, but Makayla’s injuries were too severe. Police pronounced her dead right there on the cold pavement. The sudden loss has stunned friends, family, and the wider community, who describe Makayla as someone full of life and warmth.
Authorities say 24‑year‑old James Kirk, who was driving the second vehicle that struck Makayla, was showing signs of impairment when officers evaluated him at the scene. Walzier was also tested for signs of intoxication. Oklahoma City police obtained warrants for blood draws from both drivers as part of the investigation.
Kirk was booked into jail on serious charges, including aggravated DUI, child endangerment, and a complaint of Second‑Degree Murder tied to the fatal collision. Walzier also faces a complaint in connection with Makayla’s death.
Neighbors describe a tight‑knit northwest Oklahoma City block now hovering in shock and sorrow. Friends set up candles and flowers near the place where Makayla’s life ended, sharing memories of her laugh and kindness with anyone who stops to listen.
Stories like this remind everyone how fragile life can be, especially when a moment of fun turns into a disaster no one saw coming. Makayla’s loved ones say she didn’t deserve this sudden end, and the community continues to rally around her family in the wake of profound loss.
