Chase Suspect Charged With Murder After Trooper's Death

Cleveland County prosecutors have charged a man accused of leading authorities on a high-speed chase with murder and other crimes.

D’Angelo Burgess is accused of leading authorities on a chase on July 14 that resulted in the death of Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. Heath Meyer.

Burgess drove in a reckless manner, going over 100 mph on the shoulder of Interstate 35 weaving in and out of traffic, according to the affidavit.

Investigators said “as a result of the pursuit, Lieutenant Heath Meyer … was struck by a vehicle causing great bodily harm.”

Meyer died from his injuries last week. On Monday morning, law enforcement from across the state attended the funeral for the fallen trooper. 

"It is really hard when someone has dedicated their life to serving the public, like trooper Meyer," Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn explained. “You want to make sure you are filing all the crimes appropriate, and all those committed that night to hold the offender to the highest degree possible."

The services were held at the Lloyd Noble Center on the University of Oklahoma campus.

Meyer graduated from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy in 2005. He was the 36th trooper to have died in the line of duty. 

Burgess has been in custody since the crash. Court records show he eventually stopped the vehicle, a few miles away from the crash site. 

Investigators indicated Burgess smelled of alcohol and marijuana. He was also driving without a license or insurance.

“The law allows if you are engaged in dangerous conduct, severely dangerous conduct, like running from police then you are responsible for any deaths that occur during the commission of that crime,” Mashburn explained the first-degree murder charge filed against Burgess.

Mashburn said drugs and pipe were found in the car. 

Mashburn said his prior conviction and a pending charge for a 2016 should have put Burgess in jail. Instead, he was out on probation.

“He is one of these non-violent offenders we always hear about that don’t need to be locked up … he's not a non-violent offender now,” Mashburn said. “Now, he’s killed someone.”

Burgess was charged with first-degree murder, endangering other while eluding, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.