Last year 16-year-old Mason Treat got a new car: a shiny black Dodge Charger, a muscle car.
It was a gift from his parents.
Mason’s parents bought the car in a private deal. Under state law, the car’s previous owner kept the car’s tag and wrote out a bill of sale to Mason’s family. Mason had up to 60 days to go to a tag agent, register the car and get a new tag.
Until then, he needed to keep the bill of sale, his vehicle title and proof of insurance with him when he drove, just in case he was pulled over. Mason, who had only recently gotten his driver’s license, did exactly that. He followed the law to the letter.
On Jan. 5, Mason was stopped on Interstate 40, near Garth Brooks Boulevard by Cleveland County Deputy Jose Tayahua-Mendoza. Tayahua-Mendoza pulled Mason over because of an improper tag. Mason spoke with the officer — who was standing on the passenger’s side of the car. Mason explained that his family had purchased the car in a private sale.
Then all hell broke lose. As Mason spoke, another vehicle — whose driver authorities said had fallen asleep — sideswiped the deputy’s truck and slammed into Mason’s Charger. The car was destroyed. Mason and Deputy Tayahua-Mendoza were critically injured.