BREAKING: Man who killed wrecker driver dies ahead of sentencing

A man who pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter after crashing into a wrecker driver and killing him while intoxicated has reportedly died.

On Nov. 26, 2022, John Alic Mills, 31, was loading a disabled Tesla onto his Red Beards Towing wrecker on the shoulder of U.S. Highway 69 when 78-year-old Robert Marshall struck him with his 2006 Cadillac DTS.

“The Cadillac departed the roadway to the right, entered the shoulder, and impacted the Tesla. The Cadillac then impacted John Mills and the right-side tires began driving up the ramp of the rollback, causing the Cadillac to roll onto its top,” an affidavit stated.

Marshall was transported to St. Francis hospital in Muskogee where his blood was drawn. A report from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation indicated that Marshall’s blood alcohol level exceeded the legal limit.

According to the information report, Marshall was under the influence of alcohol and morphine at the time of the crash. District 27 District Attorney Jack Thorp charged Marshall with first-degree manslaughter.

In January 2025, Marshall waived his right to a jury trial and his sentence was in the hands of District Judge Doug Kirkley. He pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree manslaughter.

Marshall was slated to be sentenced March 31; however, his attorney, Eric W. Johnson, asked the court for a continuance on March 26 since Marshall was in the Intensive Care Unit. Marshall reportedly died in a hospital last week.

Oklahoma legislature passed House Bill 2684 which establishes fines for drivers who endanger emergency responders by not slowing down or moving over for stopped emergency vehicles. A driver could be fined $1,000 for a first offense and $2,500 for a second offense. A driver could be fined $5,000 if an emergency worker is struck and injured and up to $10,000 if an emergency worker is killed.

The Bernardo-Mills Law, which was named after John Mills and wrecker driver Bernardo Martinez who was killed in 2020, went into effect in 2023. Rep. Neil Hays, R-Checotah, was the House principal author of the bill while Stephens was the Senate author.

John Mills' widow, Chelsea Mills, created a website, www.fallentowops.com, to showcase the dedication of wrecker drivers who have sacrificed their lives while fulfilling their duties.

"As a mother to our youngest son, who was only 15 months old when his father passed away, it has become my mission to raise awareness about the tireless efforts of tow operators who put their lives at risk every day to ensure your safety on the roads," Mills stated on the website.

Chelsea Mills said Marshall's death was not the justice she and her family expected, nor wanted.

"Mr. Marshall met his Creator on Thursday and the ultimate sentence was placed upon him," she said. "He never admitted fault for his choice to drink and drive, the choice that ultimately ended the life of my husband."