- Elliott Lincoln Binney was sentenced to five years in prison for the fatal crash that killed his 16-year-old daughter, Shelby.
- The accident occurred on January 11, 2024, in Bixby, Oklahoma, due to reckless driving in rainy conditions.
- Witnesses reported Binney driving at high speeds, and an open bottle of vodka was found at the scene.
BIXBY, OKLAHOMA — Just weeks after an Oklahoma homeowner was charged with fatally shooting a suspected squatter inside a vacant house in Oklahoma City, another tragic case in the state has returned to the spotlight. This time, a father has been sentenced to prison after a reckless rollover crash killed his 16-year-old daughter and left the rest of his family injured.
Elliott Lincoln Binney, 43, was sentenced Monday to five years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree manslaughter, child neglect, leaving the scene of a fatal accident, and transporting an open container.
The charges stem from a January 2024 crash that claimed the life of his daughter, Shelby Binney.
Fatal Crash Killed Teen Daughter
The crash happened on Jan. 11, 2024, near East 171st Street South in Bixby.
Emergency crews responded to reports of a serious rollover accident and found 16-year-old Shelby Binney had been ejected from the vehicle.
Despite emergency efforts, Shelby later died from her injuries.
Binney's wife and two other children were found inside the vehicle and transported to a hospital for treatment.
According to investigators, witnesses reported seeing Binney driving at a high rate of speed while attempting to pass other vehicles in rainy weather.
Authorities said he crossed into a no-passing zone before losing control of the vehicle, causing it to roll over multiple times.
Alcohol Found at Scene
Investigators recovered an open bottle of vodka near the wrecked vehicle.
According to court records, Binney later admitted he had taken a "gulp" of vodka while driving his family home.
However, Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said prosecutors could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Binney was legally impaired at the time of the crash.
"What was provable was his reckless driving, the death of his daughter, the injuries to his wife and children, and his leaving the scene," Kunzweiler said during sentencing.
Fled Before First Responders Arrived
Authorities said Binney did not remain at the crash scene.
Instead, he fled on foot before first responders arrived.
Investigators said Binney later obtained another vehicle from a nearby business and left the area.
Law enforcement eventually located and arrested him in Checotah, roughly 50 miles from the crash site.
Prosecutors argued that leaving the scene after the fatal collision was a major factor in the case.
Family Asked Court for Leniency
During sentencing, Binney's wife, Brittany Binney, urged the court not to send her husband to prison.
She told the judge that poor weather conditions contributed to the crash and maintained that her husband was not intoxicated.
Brittany Binney also said the family had already suffered an unimaginable loss and argued that imprisoning her husband would further harm their surviving children.
Prosecutors acknowledged the family's position but maintained that accountability was necessary.
Judge Imposes Prison Sentence
The court ultimately sided with prosecutors, who had recommended a prison term of between two and five years.
In addition to five years in prison, Binney was also sentenced to five years of probation.
Kunzweiler described the case as heartbreaking but said criminal charges were warranted.
"You can't just do those kinds of things to another human being, even if it's your own child," he said.
The case closes more than two years after the crash that devastated the Binney family and drew attention across Oklahoma due to the circumstances surrounding Shelby's death.
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