Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office Major Raymond Kimbrough faces a misdemeanor negligent homicide charge stemming from a May 8 crash that killed Alison Nagell in Norman. Investigators allege he entered an intersection against a red light without slowing sufficiently while responding to an emergency call.

Nagell died at the scene.

The misdemeanor charge was filed Oct. 1 in Cleveland County District Court, according to Oklahoma State Courts Network records. Kimbrough appeared in court Monday, Oct. 19, was ordered released upon posting a personal-recognizance bond and is scheduled to appear again Nov. 16 before Judge Nathaniel Hales. Kimbrough has not been convicted.

The Pontotoc County District Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case. District Attorney Erik Johnson said in a statement that emergency response "sometimes requires split-second decisions," but added that "with that authority comes an extraordinary responsibility to protect the public," KOCO reported.

What the affidavit says

Kimbrough was driving south on Classen Boulevard with his emergency lights and siren activated, responding to a call for an "officer in need of assistance." A deputy had been assaulted and injured during a traffic stop in southern Cleveland County, the affidavit states.

A police report from the crash said Kimbrough slowed from 77 mph to 52 mph as he approached the intersection but accelerated again before he could see whether westbound traffic was clear, according to KOCO. Fencing along the road obstructed the view of approaching westbound vehicles.

The affidavit states Kimbrough began accelerating more than 100 feet before sight lines would have allowed full visibility of westbound traffic.

Nagell was driving west through the intersection on a green light when the two vehicles collided. She was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the warrant request. Kimbrough was hospitalized and released three days later, according to a Cleveland County Sheriff's Office Facebook post shortly after the crash.

Oklahoma law allows officers to proceed past red lights during emergencies, but requires them to slow down as needed for safe operation and to use due regard for public safety, the warrant request states.

Remembering Nagell

Nagell, known to friends as Ali, left behind her 6-year-old daughter, Lyliana, News9 reported. She worked as a team lead in a Walmart bakery department. Her parents and sister are helping raise Lyliana, according to friend Payton Elam.

"She was a single mom, and she did everything for that little girl," Elam told News9.

What comes next

Negligent homicide with a motor vehicle is a misdemeanor under Oklahoma law, punishable by a fine between $100 and $1,000, up to one year of imprisonment, or both, according to the court filing.

Kimbrough remains employed by the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office but has been on administrative leave. The leave was placed by former Sheriff Chris Amason, KFOR reported. The sheriff's office declined to comment, citing ongoing court proceedings.

Attorney Gary James is representing Kimbrough, according to court records.