Moore man sentenced to 10 years in fatal crash with train

A Moore man who crashed into a moving train while driving drunk was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison for causing the death of his girlfriend.

Lonnie Harkins, 30, pleaded guilty Friday to first-degree manslaughter. Prosecutors alleged he was trying to “beat the train” when the collision happened early Dec. 23, 2014, in Oklahoma City.

“I’m truly sorry for all the pain I’ve caused,” Harkins told Oklahoma County District Judge Michele McElwee, who chose the punishment.

Harkins said he was pleading guilty to the crime to avoid putting the victim’s family through the pain of a trial. Siblings of the victim, Rachel Rissler, 34, spoke during the sentencing.

A brother, James Allen Bates, said he forgives Harkins even though their family has been forever changed.

“I do forgive Lonnie and I know my sister would do so,” Bates said.

A sister, Jennifer Schroeder, said Rissler was her best friend.

“She was my rock, my support, ... my everything,” she said.

Another sister, Erica Clark, told the judge that Rissler’s death has brought her “gut-wrenching pain.”

“Who do you go to when your go-to person is gone?” Clark said. “The future without Rachel will be extremely difficult.”

The siblingseach hugged Harkins after speaking. They told the judge they did not want Harkins to go to prison, saying it would only cause their family more pain.

The judge, though, said she was concerned for the community’s safety: this wasn’t the first time Harkins had driven under the influence but the first time he had been caught. And the results were the worst possible outcome, she said.

The judge also said Harkins’ blood alcohol level was .16 after the crash, twice the legal limit.

Harkins’ defense attorney contended part of the reason for the wreck was due to the railroad crossing being unsafe. The defense attorney noted the intersection, in the 3900 block of S Meridian Avenue, has poor visibility and doesn’t have railroad crossing arms, only warning lights.

The judge, though, said the warning lights were on, the train was blowing its horn and witnesses said Harkins “tried to beat the train.”

Harkins said he doesn’t have any memory of “racing the train.”

Rissler died at the scene of the crash, police reported. Harkins said he suffered fractured ribs.

Harkins said he and Rissler had lived together about two years before the crash. They were having a date night in Bricktown before the wreck.

Rissler’s mother filed a negligence lawsuit over the crash in 2015 against multiple defendants. It appears the case is still pending against one defendant.