Seminole, Oklahoma – Authorities in Oklahoma say a routine drive turned deadly when a 37-year-old woman allegedly chased down her estranged husband, forcing his vehicle off the road at extremely high speeds. Investigators claim the confrontation erupted after she became furious that he was speaking with another woman — a conflict that ended with a violent crash and his death.
Incident Overview
According to the Seminole Lighthorse Police Department, officers responded around 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 27 to the 12000 block of Highway 59, where they discovered a severe two-vehicle wreck. A 2005 BMW SUV lay mangled beside the roadway, having rolled multiple times before coming to a stop. Nearby, 40-year-old Justin Wood was found unresponsive, showing no signs of life, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
A second vehicle, a 2007 Volvo XC-90, sustained minor front-end damage. The driver was identified as Tamara Lachelle Wood, Justin’s wife, who is now facing second-degree murder and reckless driving charges.
Timeline of Events
Investigators say the confrontation began earlier that day at the couple’s son’s basketball game. According to the affidavit, Tamara allegedly became furious after learning her husband had been communicating with another woman. Witnesses later described that she “caused a scene” inside the gym, leading Justin Wood to walk out and leave in his SUV.
Tamara reportedly followed him almost immediately, initiating what police now describe as a high-speed pursuit on public roads.
During her interview with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Tamara admitted they were both driving “ninety-something” miles per hour while she tried to track him down. She told investigators Justin “slammed on his brakes,” causing her to crash into him — a collision that sent his SUV rolling several times, ultimately ejecting him.
Details From Police & Witnesses
Multiple witnesses reported seeing the vehicles moments before the crash, describing the pair as driving extremely close together at speeds approaching 100 mph. One witness said Tamara was driving “bumper-to-bumper” with her husband before impact.
Police also spoke with Justin’s mother, who confirmed that her son and Tamara had been separated and that Justin was considering filing for divorce. She said Justin called her only minutes before the crash in a panic.
“Momma, she’s trying to run me off the road! She’s trying to run me off the road! Momma! Momma! Momma!”
— Justin Wood’s final call, according to the affidavit
Moments later, she told investigators she heard the sound of “metal scraping” followed by a loud crash.
Investigators additionally interviewed two of the couple’s children. Both confirmed that their mother was angry because their father had been texting another woman earlier that day.
The official affidavit and case details were first reported through information obtained from the probable cause filing.
Key Facts
- Victim: Justin Wood, 40
- Suspect: Tamara Lachelle Wood, 37
- Charges: Second-degree murder, reckless driving
- Crash Location: Highway 59, Seminole County
- Time of Incident: 3:30 p.m., Sept. 27
- Speed Estimate: Up to 100 mph according to witnesses
Impact on the Family
The tragedy leaves the couple’s four children without their father — and potentially without their mother for many years as she faces serious prison time. Their 13-year-old son, Wyatt Wood, shared an emotional tribute to his father.
“He’s the best dad that I could ever ask for. He’s the reason I am the way I am and the reason I play sports and love basketball.”
The District 22 District Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for Tamara’s arrest on Friday. She was taken into custody the following Tuesday and is currently being held at the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, according to jail records.
District Attorney Erik Johnson stated:
“We’re going to hold her responsible for her actions that resulted in the death of her husband.”
Safety & Public Awareness
Authorities emphasize that high-speed chases — especially involving personal disputes — pose extreme danger not only to those directly involved but also to innocent drivers on the road. Law enforcement agencies across the nation warn that emotional driving, aggressive pursuit, and road rage incidents are increasingly contributing to fatal crashes.
Drivers are urged to:
- Immediately pull over and call 911 if they believe someone is chasing or threatening them
- Avoid engaging in confrontations on the road
- Keep a safe distance and alert authorities rather than attempting to handle disputes while driving
Conclusion
The tragic death of Justin Wood illustrates how quickly emotions mixed with reckless driving can escalate into irreversible consequences. As the investigation moves forward, the Seminole community is left grieving a father of four, while prosecutors prepare their case against the woman accused of causing his death.
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