Two Little Axe Seniors Killed In Cycle Crash


The Daily Oklahoman - Wednesday, May 25, 1994
Author: Robert Medley, Norman Bureau

For the second consecutive year, tragedy has marred graduation for seniors at a rural Cleveland County high school.

Little Axe High School seniors JoeRaymondWeaver , 18, and Gary Richard Martin, 18, were killed in a motorcycle accident less than 24 hours before they were to graduate.

The two were best friends who had gone to another friend's house to watch a movie Monday night, said Weaver 's grandfather, Charlie J. Weaver . The accident occurred on their way home, he said.

Little Axe students were shocked when they learned of the news after arriving at school Tuesday morning, said Jan Sharp, director of instructional services.

"This is always an emotional time," Sharp said as the remaining 84 students prepared for Tuesday night's graduation ceremony at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman.

"There is a lot of shock and sadness. We had a lot of tears this morning, not only from students but from teachers who had just seen them yesterday," Sharp said.

Last year, Noble High School graduate Amanda Rae Ross was killed in a one-car crash in the early morning hours following her graduation ceremony. And last weekend, Guthrie High School senior Carlos Duke was accidentally shot and killed at a party after his prom. He would have graduated Thursday.

Jim Middaugh, Noble High School principal who sent counselors to work with Little Axe staff Tuesday, said he thinks accidents at the end of the school year are not mere coincidences.

"I think it is the gearing down of things at graduation. Graduation is the highlight of their 12 years of school and they want to let their hair down, thinking they can do things they do not normally do," Middaugh said.

Sgt. Bill Martin of the Oklahoma City Police Department said the motorcycle driven by Weaver was traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound on SE 149 about 11:36 p.m. when it went over the top of a hill at the intersection with Dobbs Road in far northeastern Cleveland County.

The motorcycle hit the passenger side of a car driven by Cassie Marie McMullen, 16, which was turning left to go south on Dobbs Road.

The two men were killed instantly. McMullen and her passenger, Connie Armenta, 37, were treated at Midwest City Regional Hospital and released.

Charlie Weaver said the men were riding on his grandson's motorcycle and were only a mile from home when killed.

JoeRaymondWeaver lived at 20836 SE 149 in Newalla and Martin lived at 21120 SE 149 in Oklahoma City, Sgt. Martin said.

Weaver was wearing a helmet and Martin was not, Sgt. Martin said.

A police investigation into the crash continued Tuesday, he said. There were no indications of alcohol being involved, he said.

Sharp said both students were artists who were active in the art program under teacher Pat Hobson.

Weaver , son of Joe Charlie Weaver and Lieu-Ann Weaver , studied art at Mid-America Vocational-Technical School at Wayne and planned to attend the University of New Mexico to continue his art studies.

Martin, son of John and Margie Holden, had been planning to enter the military after he graduated, she said.

Sharp said counselors from the Norman Family Center's crisis team and area churches offered their assistance.

Noble High School counselors Mildred Work and Robin Payne also went to Little Axe to assist the staff there Tuesday, Noble principal Middaugh said. Mildred Work is the wife of Little Axe Superintendent Joe Work, he said.