Pryor Man Sentenced for Involuntary Manslaughter

A Pryor man was sentenced today for Involuntary Manslaughter in Indian Country, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

U.S. District Judge John D. Russell sentenced Aaron Douglas Brixey, 27, to 72 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. 

In February 2025, Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers responded to a multi-car crash. Two motorists rear-ended by a silver car called 911 to report the accident and said the driver who caused the wreck drove from the scene. Moments later, the same silver vehicle rear-ended a third car, causing it to roll, ejecting and killing Matthew Gatewood.

Troopers located the silver car emitting smoke and assisted Brixey from the driver's seat. Court documents show that Brixey smelled of alcohol, was unsteady on his feet, and beer cans were visible in the vehicle. When medical personnel attempted to treat Brixey, he became combative. He was detained by troopers and placed in a patrol unit, where Brixey yelled and banged his head against the window.

A warrant for Brixey’s blood was obtained. His blood alcohol concentration was 0.171, more than twice the legal limit. Toxicology further revealed that THC was also detected in his blood.

Forty-five days prior to causing the death of Matthew Gatewood, Brixey was accused of driving while intoxicated, causing another accident that hurt two people. The charges related to that incident are pending in the Cherokee Nation District Court.

Brixey is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and he will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Flynn prosecuted the case.