Tulsa Fire Department Faces Another Wrongful Death Suit Over 2024 Crash

A second wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Fire Department arising from the February 26, 2024 collision involving Tulsa Fire Department Engine 23. That crash killed five people including an unborn child.

The new suit was filed by Keiosha Rucker, the mother of Aziah and Keylani Jones, both of whom died in the crash. Rucker was reportedly driving the vehicle that contained the five victims. Following the crash, police allege she tested positive for THC and cocaine. She faced five counts of manslaughter and operating while impaired. News reports indicate that she has already pled no contest, is awaiting sentencing, and remains paralyzed.

We covered the earlier suit in October when Ataja Martin filed suit over the loss of her unborn child. That story and Martin’s complaint can be found here.

Rucker’s suit was filed November 21, 2025, in Tulsa County District Court. According to the complaint, Rucker was driving westbound on East 41st Street in Tulsa with her two minor children in a 2019 Hyundai Accent as she approached South New Haven Avenue. She stopped in the inside westbound lane intending to make a left turn. At that moment, she observed a Tulsa fire engine approaching from behind. Believing she had time to complete her turn and clear the lane, she began the maneuver.

The petition states that Fire Engine 23 was traveling westbound at what is described as a high and unsafe rate of speed. As it approached Rucker’s vehicle, Engine 23 reportedly moved into the oncoming eastbound lane in an attempt to pass her on the left. Rucker asserts she was unaware that the fire engine had entered the oncoming lane and, unable to anticipate its speed, turned left as the apparatus struck her vehicle. Both children sustained fatal injuries. Rucker survived but claims to have suffered severe and permanent injuries, including significant physical trauma, neurological harm, emotional distress, and lifelong medical needs.

The petition alleges that Stern failed to operate the fire engine with due regard for the safety of others on the roadway, citing excessive speed, improper entry into the oncoming lane, and failure to maintain a proper lookout. It further references Oklahoma’s emergency-vehicle statute, which permits exceeding the speed limit only when done with due regard for public safety. The suit claims that Stern’s actions violated this statute and constituted negligence per se.

Rucker brings the action under the Oklahoma Governmental Tort Claims Act and the Oklahoma Wrongful Death Statute, asserting the City of Tulsa’s liability for the actions of its employee. She seeks damages in excess of $75,000 for medical and burial expenses, the loss of companionship and affection of her children, the destruction of the parent-child relationship, her grief and emotional distress, the children’s conscious pain and suffering prior to death, and her pecuniary losses.

Here is a copy of the complaint.