Northwest Oklahoma City — Makayla Mitchell, a 31‑year‑old woman with a bright smile and a loving heart, died late Sunday night after a sledding mishap turned deadly on a dark stretch of roadway near Northwest 81st Street and North Walker Avenue. What started as a group enjoying snowy weather ended in heartbreak just past 11 p.m. when Mitchell was struck and killed by a vehicle after the sled rope broke.
Friends had tied a makeshift sled to a vehicle driven by 22‑year‑old Angel Walzier, planning a playful ride down the quiet street. As the group moved along the road, the rope suddenly snapped near Northwest 82nd Street, leaving Mitchell and the sled stranded in the middle of the lane. In moments, another vehicle behind them, driven by 24‑year‑old James Kirk, struck her. Emergency crews arrived quickly, but Mitchell was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say both drivers showed signs of impairment, and a Drug Recognition Officer evaluated each of them at the scene before blood draws were completed. What should have been just a snowy night with friends is now the center of a serious police investigation. Both Walzier and Kirk were taken into custody early Monday on complaints that include second‑degree murder and aggravated driving under the influence.
Kirk faces additional charges that paint a more troubling picture: child endangerment and causing a fatal collision without a valid driver’s license, because a small child was in his vehicle at the time of the crash. Walzier was also booked on murder‑related and DUI counts. None of the charges have been tested in court yet, and both suspects are being held without bond as the case moves forward.
The area where the tragedy happened doesn’t have street lighting, and that lack of visibility likely made a dangerous situation even worse. Police officials reminded the public that towing sleds behind vehicles on public streets is risky, especially when conditions are poor and drivers may not be fully alert.
Those who knew Mitchell say she was the kind of person who lit up a room. Friends described her as outgoing, fun‑loving, and deeply devoted to her young daughter, who was not at the scene. Just hours before her death, Mitchell had joyfully filmed her toddler playing in the snow, unaware that her own life would soon be tragically cut short.
The Oklahoma City Police Department continues to interview witnesses, collect evidence, and review video as part of a thorough investigation. Officials have asked anyone with information or footage of the night to reach out to law enforcement. What friends planned as a spontaneous winter fun night has become a sobering reminder of how quickly joy can turn into loss.
