Third man charged in Diamond Daze pursuit

A third man has now been charged in Sequoyah County District Court for attempting to flee Sallisaw police during the annual Diamond Daze festival last month.

Shawn A. Hyman, 34, of Launderdale Lakes, Fla. was formally charged on May 25 and a warrant was issued for his arrest the same day.

Hyman is facing charges of transporting stolen property into state, possession of controlled dangerous substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of burglary tools. Associate District Judge Kyle Waters has set his bond at $40,000, according to court documents.

Hyman and two other individuals from Florida, Carlton Rucker, 37, of Plantation, and Courtney Walker, 35, of Dania Beach, were all traveling in a 2020 Hyundai northbound on Oak Street and just south of Creek Ave. around 1:21 p.m. on May 6 during Sallisaw’s Diamond Daze event, when Sallisaw Police Capt. John Weber made the decision to stop them.

Weber reportedly positioned his police unit into the path of the Hyundai, causing it to strike him and his passenger, Officer Wesley McGuire, ending the pursuit.

Rucker and Walker were reportedly uninjured but Hyman was transported by First Flight to St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa where he was admitted in stable condition with leg injuries.

Weber suffered a broken wrist in the crash while McGuirt suffered cuts and bruises.

Rucker is charged with two counts of battery, assault and battery on a police officer, causing great bodily injury while eluding/attempting to elude police officer, transporting stolen property into state, possession of burglary tools, possession of controlled dangerous substance (marijuana), and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Walker is charged with transporting stolen property into state, possession of burglary tools, possession of controlled dangerous substance (marijuana) and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both Rucker and Walker are scheduled to appear on June 26 before Special Judge Matt Orendorff.