Bystander crashes into car to stop Oklahoma woman accused of targeting ex-boyfriend
Ruth Harper, 61, has been accused of driving under the influence and trying to hit her former boyfriend, Edward Fortune, with her car in Ponca City, Oklahoma. A bystander, Dave Williams, crashed his own car into Harper’s vehicle just before it reached Fortune, while police pursued her. The incident matters because surveillance footage and an affidavit describe a series of dangerous actions that put Fortune and others at risk.
Police say Harper had repeatedly rammed Fortune’s parked car, pushing it down a hill and into a highway, then returned as an officer investigated. She faces charges including assault with a dangerous weapon, drink-driving and reckless driving, and is being held on $100,000 bond. Williams said he happened to be nearby to collect a car part after a spider bite delayed his knee replacement surgery.
- A bystander crashed into Harper’s car to stop it reaching her ex.
- Police say the chase followed repeated damage to Fortune’s parked car.
- Harper faces several charges and is held on $100,000 bond.
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Ruth Harper, aged 61, and Edward Fortune were formerly in a relationship. Harper is accused of driving under the influence and attempting to hit Fortune with her car in Ponca City, Oklahoma. A bystander named Dave Williams crashed his own vehicle into Harper's to prevent her from reaching Fortune.
Police say that before this alleged confrontation, Harper had repeatedly rammed Fortune's parked car, pushing it down a hill and onto a highway. She returned to the area as officers were investigating the damage. Surveillance footage and police affidavits document these earlier incidents.
Harper faces charges including assault with a dangerous weapon, drink-driving and reckless driving. She is being held on a $100,000 bond. The case involves a series of actions in which a vehicle was used in ways that endangered multiple people.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Williams's swift action prevented a potentially fatal attack. With Harper driving recklessly under the influence towards her ex-partner whilst evading police, the immediate danger was genuine and urgent. His intervention represents precisely the kind of brave, protective response that can prevent tragedy when official responses are still unfolding.
The case against
Whilst Williams's intentions were admirable and the outcome fortunate, his decision to cause a collision introduced significant risks that could have injured himself, Harper, or innocent bystanders. Police were already pursuing Harper and would shortly have prevented her reaching Fortune. Encouraging untrained civilians to intervene through dangerous means, however well-motivated, risks undermining professional emergency response.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Furious ex-girlfriend, 61, filmed driving her car at former boyfriend… only for stranger to save him thanks to coincidence involving a spider bite”.