-
Officer C.J. Nelson killed in action 2022. -
Jay Fite dies before trial for Edmond Police Officer killed in 2022.
The man charged in connection with a 2022 crash that killed an Edmond police officer has died.
Jay Fite’s attorney, Billy Coyle, confirmed his death to several local media outlets on Tuesday morning.
Fite was charged with first-degree manslaughter after authorities said he crashed a utility truck into Edmond police Sgt. C.J. Nelson’s motorcycle in July of 2022 on the Broadway Extension just south of 33rd Street.
Police said in court documents that Fite told them at the scene that he was “overworked and very tired” and that he was “going too fast” and was unable to stop his truck in time.
Preliminary drug tests done on Fite showed the presence of amphetamine and methamphetamine in his system.
Fite had been released from jail on a medical bond in September due to his declining health.
His jury trial was set to begin in January 2024.
The 38-year-old Nelson left behind a wife and two children.
Nelson’s death marked the first line of duty death in the history of the Edmond Police.