Man Mowing Lawn Hit, Killed By Car in S.W. Oklahoma

Staff and Wire Reports

INDIAHOMA, Oklahoma -- The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said a 61-year-old southwest Oklahoma man was killed while mowing his lawn on a riding mower when he was hit by a suspected drunken driver.

The OHP accident report stated Kenneth Kowena died in the collision about 7:25 p.m. Thursday.

It said Kowena was on a riding lawnmower in his yard when the car driven by 26-year-old Rickey Hoover Jr. went off the roadway and crashed into the mower.

The OHP said the impact knocked Kowena more than 90 feet through the air, killing him.

Online jail records show Hoover is being held in the Comanche County jail for first-degree manslaughter and driving under the influence. Records did not show whether he has an attorney.

Because the death occurred on tribal trust land, the FBI is also investigating.

Now man Indiahoma residents are left wondering how such a thing could happen to a man they said who was a friend to all.

"He was just involved with the school, with just anything. He would help anybody. He was just a really nice guy," said Connie McCarthy, Indiahoma City Clerk.

The funeral service for Kenny Kowena will be on Monday at 11 a.m. in the Cache High School auditorium.