Parents of teens killed in Washington County crash hope to secure conviction after suspected driver's arrest | News

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Okla. — FOX23 spoke with the parents of two teenage girls who were killed in a crash in Washington County after the suspected driver was arrested and charged with manslaughter.

FOX23 reported that Kiana Johnson, 17, and Shannon Suter, 16, were killed in a crash last year in Washington County.

According to the accident report, Skyler Oliver was driving in this fatal crash on July 19, 2023, on Highway 4020 east of Ochelata, which killed the two teens.

“Ten months later, but the arrest has been made and I hope we can't say closure because there will never be closure,” Kirk Johnson said.

Shannon's parents are still dealing with their loss.

“I live, I take it day by day,” Fawn Suter said. “It’s still unreal.”

“Everything has fallen apart since she left,” Nick Suter added. “I’m just holding on.” »

Family friend Melanie Anderson wants a conviction.

“Was convicted of killing these two girls because no matter how you look at it, he was driving the car and there are two girls that are no longer there,” she said.

Oliver is charged with two counts of first-degree manslaughter and giving alcohol to a person under 21 years of age.

“First and foremost, you have to save someone else’s life,” Anderson added. “There are so many young people partying with older people who shouldn't be doing it.” So many people buy alcohol from minors when they shouldn't. So if their parents don’t want to hold them accountable, let’s help them do it.”

Johnson said he wouldn't be happy until Oliver was found guilty.

“You know he wasn’t convicted, he didn’t do anything,” he said. “He has his charges against him. Once justice is served and he pays the price, then maybe I can sleep a little better.”

The family told FOX23 that Oliver's preliminary hearing will take place Monday at the Washington County Courthouse.