NORMAN, OK — Friends of Alison Nagell are remembering her as a devoted single mother who worked long hours and extra shifts to give her 6-year-old daughter a full life. Nagell, known to many as Ali, died in a May 8 crash at Classen Boulevard and Cedar Lane Road in Norman.
The case has now led to a misdemeanor negligent homicide charge against Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office Major Raymond Kimbrough. Newly released body camera video shows the aftermath of the collision, which left Nagell dead at the scene. For those who knew her, the legal case is only part of the story.
Friends say Nagell centered her life on her daughter
Payton Elam said she knew Nagell from school, but their friendship deepened as adults. Their children were born about a month apart and later ended up in the same kindergarten classroom, giving the two women even more to share.
Elam said Nagell’s daily life revolved around her daughter, Lyliana. She described Nagell as someone who picked up extra shifts and worked late into the night so her child would have what she needed. “Lyli didn’t want for anything,” Elam said. “Like Ali made it happen for her.”
Family members described Nagell in her obituary as a devoted mother who loved watching her daughter dance, play softball and grow. She worked as a team lead in Walmart’s bakery department, balancing work and parenting while trying to build stability for her child.
Loved ones want her name and memory to remain present
Elam became emotional while talking about the loss, saying she understands it personally as another mother. She said Nagell’s death has been devastating for those close to her and that the grief reaches beyond the courtroom.
According to Elam, Nagell’s parents and sister are now helping raise Lyliana. While she said she cannot speak for the family, she hopes people keep sharing memories so the child grows up hearing how loved her mother was.
“I just think that it’s so important to, like, say her name,” Elam said. She said she wants Lyliana to hear stories about Nagell’s humor, kindness and the way she could make people laugh in ordinary conversations.
Investigators say Kimbrough was responding to an emergency call
According to an affidavit, Kimbrough was heading to assist after another deputy was assaulted and injured during a traffic stop in southern Cleveland County. He was driving a county-issued, unmarked Chevrolet Tahoe south on Classen Boulevard with emergency lights and a siren activated.
Investigators say he entered the intersection against a red light and collided with Nagell, who was driving west through the intersection with a green light. She died at the scene. The affidavit says Kimbrough did not slow enough to cross the intersection safely.
The document also says fencing limited visibility and that Kimbrough began accelerating before he could fully see westbound traffic. Those findings are central to the charge filed in the case.
Body camera video shows the immediate aftermath of the crash
News 9 said newly released body camera video captures the scene after the May crash. The footage shows the aftermath of the collision that ended Nagell’s life and triggered the criminal case now moving through Cleveland County court.
The video release adds a visual record to the affidavit and court filings that describe how the crash unfolded. For Nagell’s friends, though, the most important details remain the human ones: her work ethic, her role as a mother and the absence left behind for her daughter.
Those who knew her say the public attention has made them more determined to talk about who she was before the crash and not only how she died.
Kimbrough remains on leave as the court process continues
The negligent homicide charge was filed on Oct. 1. Kimbrough appeared in court on Oct. 19, and records show his next court date is set for Nov. 16.
The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office said Kimbrough remains on administrative leave while the case continues. The office declined to comment further, citing the ongoing court proceedings.
For Nagell’s friends and family, the legal process is unfolding alongside grief. They are left to remember a mother they say worked constantly for her child and whose life, they believe, should be recalled for the love she poured into her daughter.
