Driver of truck that struck tractor driven by former State Representative faces charges

A 35-year-old Heavener man has been charged with inattentive driving in the incident that killed former Oklahoma State Representative Lundy Kiger in November of last year. 

Kger, was driving a John Deere tractor on Highway 59 on the northern end of Poteau when the tractor was struck by 2007 Chevrolet Silverado driven by James Denver Dehart. 

Dehart told officers immediately after the accident that he was behind Kiger on the roadway and was reaching for a milkshake when the collision happened. 

The tractor on which Kiger was riding left the roadway and flipped over. Kiger was thrown to the runway, sustaining fatal injuries. and died three days later after being life-lighted to a Tulsa hospital. 

The charges were filed last month in Leflore County Circuit Court.Dehartreceived citations for inattentive driving and for not having insurance.

Dehart had previously been cited in McIntosh County for failure to maintain insurance and speeding in 2018.

The hearing on the case has been set for May 22.