The Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a fugitive who fled deputies following a crash and foot pursuit earlier this week.
Deputies were called to a two-vehicle incident just before 6:50 a.m. on January 22, 2026, on State Highway 51 at South 385th East Avenue outside Coweta.
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While investigating the incident, deputies discovered that one of the vehicles’ passengers, Darren G. Howard of Hulbert, was wanted on multiple felony warrants out of Cherokee County.
When deputies attempted to apprehend Howard, he fled over multiple lanes of traffic, resulting in a foot chase.
A taser was used during the pursuit, but Howard fled into the woods.
Several organizations, including a Sheriff’s Office K-9 team, searched the area but could not find him.
Later that morning, around 9:40 a.m., deputies received notification that the same vehicle involved in the incident had been stopped by an Oklahoma Highway Patrol officer on the Muskogee Turnpike near mile marker 6.
According to investigators, the suspect fled the vehicle on foot yet again.
The driver was identified as David Howard of Hulbert, the suspect’s brother.
Deputies determined that he had deliberately assisted Darren Howard in evading law enforcement. David Howard was arrested and put into the Wagoner County Detention Center on charges of harboring a fugitive.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, more warrants for Darren G. Howard will be sought in connection with this event, and charges may be filed against others accused of assisting him.
Officials commended several organizations for their assistance, including Coweta Fire and Police, Wagoner County Emergency Management, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Tulsa Police Department, and Wagoner County E-911 Dispatch.
The investigation is underway. Anyone with information on Darren G. Howard or his whereabouts should contact the Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office at 918-485-3124.
Authorities believe he frequents the Hulbert region in Cherokee County
