MONTGOMERY COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol Highway Patrol is seeking assistance from the public to identify witnesses to a vehicle pursuit that terminated in Montgomery County on September 26, 2025, according to a media release from the KHP.
The pursuit began in Owasso, Oklahoma, by officers from the Owasso Oklahoma Police Department with assistance from Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers. Two suspects, later identified as Tenisha D. Mayberry (the driver) and Cortez J. Wasson (a passenger), had fled the scene of a theft investigation and struck an Owasso officer with the suspect's driver's door.
When the pursuit entered Kansas, officers from the Coffeyville Police Department took control of the pursuit near the intersection of U.S. 169 and U.S. 166, traveling northbound from U.S. 169 onto Patterson Blvd.
The suspect vehicle failed to stop at a red light. The pursuit continued northbound approaching the intersection of Patterson Blvd. and 8th Street where the suspect vehicle again failed to stop at a red light, striking a vehicle that was crossing the intersection. The suspect vehicle came to rest on its side, and the other vehicle overturned and came to rest on its roof.
Both suspects were taken into custody and received medical treatment on scene. The driver of the other vehicle, Maia E. O'Connell, was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. The passenger of the other vehicle, 15-year-old Serafina L. O'Connell, was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and later transported to a hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for more intensive care. On September 30, Serafina succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.
The Kansas Highway Patrol's Critical Highway Accident Response Team (CHART) responded to the scene, and this crash remains under investigation.
If anyone witnessed or has information, including video, regarding the crash, please contact Technical Trooper Gary Boles or Montgomery County Attorney Melissa Johnson.
Mayberry is being held on requested charges of felony interference with law enforcement, felony fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, Aggravated battery; Reckless deadly weapon cause great body harm/disfig/death, Possession of marijuana, according to online jail records.
Wasson is being held on requested charges of felony interference with law enforcement, Aggravated battery; Reckless deadly weapon cause great body harm/disfig/death and possession of marijuana.