By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
EL RENO – An Oklahoma City man faces life in prison for allegedly killing a Blanchard woman in a multi-vehicle crash between Yukon and Mustang caused by his illicit drug use and speeding.
Marcus Cole Stephens, 25, was charged April 25 in Canadian County District Court with second-degree murder, a felony; and driving a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, both misdemeanors.
The case stems from a fatality traffic collision that occurred Dec. 30, 2021, in the 2200 block of S Mustang Road. Oklahoma City Police investigated the crash.
Canadian County prosecutors allege Stephens was “driving a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs on a public road at excessive speeds” causing an automobile collision that led to the death of Lucinda Diane Lichliter, 51.
The defendant “engaged in this conduct with contemptuous and reckless disregard of, and in total indifference to, the safety of human life, although it was done without any premeditated design to effect the death of any particular individual,” court documents read.
Second-degree murder is punishable by 10 years to life in prison.
Stephens allegedly was driving on S Mustang Road when the crash occurred while under the influence of drugs and with Alprazolam, Oxycodone and cocaine in his possession and control.
The defendant faces two more years in prison and fines totaling up to $2,000 if convicted of the two misdemeanor drug crimes.
Canadian County Special Judge Charles Gass issued a no-bond warrant for Stephens’ arrest.
Stephens was arrested and booked at 7:56 p.m. April 26 into the Canadian County Jail in El Reno.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Oklahoma City police officers responded at 6:12 p.m. Dec. 30, 2021, to a three-injury traffic collision on S Mustang Road between S.W. 15th and S.W. 29th.
Stephens was southbound on Mustang Road driving a GMC Yukon at 75-80 miles per hour in a 55-mph speed zone when he rear-ended a Toyota RAV4 driven by Lichliter, according to a probable cause affidavit.
The impact forced Lichliter into the path of two northbound vehicles.
The woman was taken to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City, where she died Jan. 2 from injuries sustained in the crash.
While Stephens was being treated at the hospital, paramedics allegedly found a cigarette pack in his pocket containing a white powdery substance that later tested positive for cocaine.
Stephens had one Xanax tablet, 18 Oxycodone tablets, 14 Alprazolam tables, three Chlorpromazine tablets, and 2.08 grams of cocaine, according to a police investigator’s affidavit.
An Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation analysis showed Stephens’ blood contained cocaine, Fentanyl, methamphetamine, and THC.
