ARDMORE, Okla. — An Oklahoma man who slammed his vehicle into an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper during a September 2025 pursuit, causing the trooper’s patrol car to burst into flames, will spend the next 22 and a half years in prison.
Lareme Hartman was sentenced this week after a Carter County jury found him guilty of five felonies and six misdemeanors tied to the violent pursuit near Ardmore, according to News 9. Trooper Hayden Darst was badly hurt in the crash and had to be flown to a hospital.
TL;DR: Lareme Hartman has been sentenced to 22½ years in prison for a September 2025 pursuit near Ardmore in which he intentionally rammed Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Hayden Darst. The trooper’s patrol car caught fire, and Darst was seriously injured and flown to a hospital. A Carter County jury convicted Hartman of five felonies and six misdemeanors.
A Chase on I-35 Turns Violent
The confrontation began along Interstate 35 near Ardmore when Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers began pursuing Hartman. According to News 9’s original September 2025 reporting, OHP said that during the chase, Trooper Hayden Darst attempted to stop Hartman — and Hartman turned his vehicle into the trooper’s car.
The impact caused Darst’s patrol vehicle to catch fire. The trooper was badly injured in the crash and had to be flown to a hospital, though he was expected to survive. Hartman was eventually taken into custody and booked into the Carter County Jail.
Guilty on Five Felonies, Six Misdemeanors
The case went to trial in Carter County, where a jury found Hartman guilty of five felonies and six misdemeanors tied to the pursuit and the crash, The Ardmoreite reported. The guilty verdict paved the way for this week’s sentencing: 22 and a half years in prison.
The sentence reflects the gravity of the offense — intentionally using a vehicle as a weapon against a law enforcement officer. Ramming a trooper’s vehicle is among the most serious attacks on officers a court can see, and the near-fatal outcome for Trooper Darst weighed heavily in the outcome.
Trooper Darst’s Injuries
Trooper Hayden Darst was seriously hurt when his patrol car was rammed and caught fire. He was flown by medical helicopter to a hospital for treatment and was expected to survive his injuries. His experience underscores the dangers troopers face in vehicle pursuits, where routine stops can escalate in seconds.
What the Sentence Means
Hartman’s 22½-year sentence brings a measure of closure to a case that left a state trooper badly burned and injured. With a Carter County jury’s conviction now final at sentencing, Hartman will serve his time in the Oklahoma prison system. Any appeal of the conviction or sentence would proceed through the state appellate courts.
FAQ
Who is Lareme Hartman?
Lareme Hartman is an Oklahoma man sentenced to 22½ years in prison after a Carter County jury found him guilty of five felonies and six misdemeanors tied to a September 2025 pursuit near Ardmore in which he rammed an OHP trooper.
Who is Trooper Hayden Darst?
Trooper Hayden Darst is an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper who was seriously injured when Hartman rammed his patrol vehicle during the September 2025 pursuit. Darst’s car caught fire, and he was flown to a hospital. He was expected to survive.
Where did the pursuit happen?
Along Interstate 35 near Ardmore, Oklahoma, in Carter County.
What exactly did Hartman do?
According to OHP, during a pursuit, Hartman intentionally turned his vehicle into Trooper Darst’s patrol car. The crash caused the trooper’s vehicle to catch fire and left Darst badly injured.
What was Hartman convicted of?
A Carter County jury found him guilty of five felonies and six misdemeanors tied to the pursuit and crash, according to The Ardmoreite.
What was his sentence?
22 and a half years in prison, handed down this week, as reported by News 9 on Oct. 20, 2026.
Was Trooper Darst expected to survive?
Yes. Although badly hurt and flown to a hospital, OHP said Darst was expected to survive his injuries.
Can Hartman appeal?
Yes. As with any criminal conviction, Hartman has the right to challenge the conviction or sentence through Oklahoma’s appellate courts, though no appeal had been publicly announced at the time of reporting.
Featured image: Oklahoma Highway Patrol vehicle. Photo via CarScoops.
