An Oklahoma officer succumbed to his injuries after he was involved in a head-on crash while carrying a deceased colleague's body from Tulsa to Wetmuka for burial.
The crash occurred on March 17 and involved McAlester Police officer Joseph Barlow as he escorted the body of Capt. Richard Parker, authorities said.
Barlow's vehicle collided head-on with a pick-up truck. Barlow was hospitalized in critical condition before passing away on Monday.
Authorities identified the pickup truck driver as Martin Rivas Rodriguez and charged him with manslaughter.
Capt. Richard Parker died suddenly last week after serving his community for more than 25 years.
“We ask that you keep Parker's and Barlow's family and friends in your thoughts as they continue to cope with these recent tragedies,” the McAlester Police Department said in a statement.
