TULSA, Okla. – A Tulsa man has been found guilty of second-degree murder after causing a fatal crash while driving under the influence. The victim, 23-year-old Oral Roberts University student Eugene Quaynor, died in the collision. Quaynor, an international student from Ghana, was the captain of ORU’s soccer team.
Nicholas Robinson, 37, was driving at 73 miles per hour on 71st Street in his SUV when he crashed into Quaynor’s car at a red light on Sept. 28, 2022. Witnesses testified that they tried to rescue Quaynor, but his car caught on fire before they could reach him. The young student died at the scene.
It was revealed that Robinson had a blood alcohol content of 0.372 at the time of the crash, well above the legal limit of 0.08. Tulsa County Assistant District Attorney John Tjeerdsma expressed the tragedy of Quaynor’s untimely death, stating, “Nicholas Robinson robbed him of that dream” of playing soccer in the United States.
Robinson was also found guilty of DUI-second offense, having been convicted of aggravated DUI back in 2019. The jury recommended a 35-year sentence in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for second-degree murder and an additional 4.5 years for his DUI-second offense. A formal sentencing date is scheduled for Feb. 21.
The tragic loss of Eugene Quaynor reminds us of the devastating consequences of driving under the influence, and serves as a sobering reminder to never get behind the wheel while intoxicated. These senseless tragedies can be prevented with responsible actions and choices, and the justice served in this case is a step towards accountability for the harm caused by drunk driving.