Marland resident sentenced in negligent homicide

Heron Jesus Ramirez entered a blind plea of no contest Tuesday morning to a charge of negligent homicide.

The Kay County District Court accepted the plea and found Ramirez guilty in the death of Joleen Wilson, 25, of Ponca City on Jan. 22, 2015. Wilson died in a collision with Ramirez on North Avenue about a half mile east of S Street.

Wilson was riding a 2015 motorcycle and her nephew was a passenger. Ramirez was driving a pickup truck.

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol report on the accident, both vehicles were eastbound. Wilson was in front of Ramirez and attempted to turn left. Ramirez was traveling at 65 mph and attempted to pass Wilson as she was turning, striking her motorcycle. As a result of the collision, Wilson died within a few days. Her nephew has survived.

The Kay County District Attorney’s office said Ramirez was sentenced to serve one year over the course of 20 weekends, with the balance suspended.