LE FLORE COUNTY, Okla. — A Shady Point woman has pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges for a fatal crash that killed a Fort Smith man in August 2021.
Christine Northern told 5NEWS in 2021 that her husband 38-year-old Bobby Northern was killed in a crash after a vehicle crossed the center line of Highway 112 North in Pocola and hit his vehicle head-on.
In May 2022, a manslaughter charge was filed against Amber Rae Walker, whose vehicle crossed the center line, killing Bobby. She originally pleaded not guilty the same month the charges were filed.
Court documents claim Walker was driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher, which made her incapable of driving a vehicle.
By September 2024, she waived her right to a jury trial. On Oct. 8, she pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to serve four years in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
Bobby's wife and daughter gave victim impact statements on the day of Walker's sentencing.
Christine explained what Bobby meant to her.
"Bobby had the biggest heart I have ever seen," Christine said. "I couldn't have asked for a better husband and father to our children. He wasn't just my other half, he was my better half. He brought out the best in me. He was my best friend."
She also recounted hearing the news of Bobby's death and coming to terms with how it could have been prevented.
"I still have to remind myself that he is never coming home," Christine said. "What makes it so hard to even accept is that all of it could have been prevented had Amber Walker not chosen to be selfish and just called a cab, a friend, anyone to drive her home."
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