Man involved in 2023 hit-and-run crash set to appear in tribal court

A Park Hill man, who was accused of leaving the scene of a two-vehicle crash, is slated to appear in the District Court of the Cherokee Nation Thursday, Aug. 22.

On Aug. 14, Tahlequah News reported that the victim of the 2023 crash was frustrated that the man, Sammy Joe Kirk, seemed to be avoiding the criminal legal system.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers responded to West 850 Road July 11, 2023, for a two-vehicle crash that involved injury. Kirk, a tribal member, fled the scene before first responders arrived.

Abigale Sutherland, who is non-native, was transported to Northeastern Health System before she was taken to St. John’s Main in Tulsa and admitted in stable condition with abdominal, spinal, neck, head, and lower extremity injuries.

Kirk turned himself in the next day and was booked into the Cherokee County Detention Center for leaving the scene of an accident involving injury, transporting an open container of alcohol, failure to keep right on road of sufficient width, operating a vehicle while driver's license is suspended, and failure to wear seat belt.

On July 20, 2023, Kirk was formally charged by former Cherokee Nation Attorney General Sara Hill with one count of leaving the scene of injury collision and one count of driving while license is canceled or suspended.

According to tribal court records, Kirk's attorney, Ryan Cannonie, filed a motion to withdraw after Kirk failed to appear in court on April 4, 2024 and a bench warrant was ordered. The case was slated for a disposition May 2, 2024, which Kirk was allowed more time to obtain an attorney and ordered back June 20, 2024. A bench warrant was ordered that same day for failure to appear and his bond was forfeited.

The warrant was served Aug. 15 and Kirk will appear in tribal court for a disposition hearing Thursday, Aug. 22 at 1 p.m.