Body of missing Tulsa teen found in creek

TULSA - Authorities recovered the body of a teenage boy Sunday who was last seen playing near a swollen creek the day before.

The body of Dario Hogan, 14, was discovered Sunday morning, more than 12 hours after the he was reported missing.

Authorities said Hogan and two friends were playing near Coal Creek around 8:45 p.m. Saturday.  The creek, which connects to the city's storm drainage system, was gushing with water after the evening's thunderstorms.

One of the teens fell in the water.

Investigators believe Hogan tried saving his friend but was swept away by the strong current. A stranger eventually pulled the other teen out of the water.

Hogan's body was found a mile downstream from the area where he was last seen.

"He was found underneath a tree. He was kind of covered underneath a tree," said Tim Smallwood, Tulsa Fire Department spokesman.

Smallwood said even though it's a sad situation, Hogan's death can serve as an important reminder for everyone.

"A lot of people don't realize just a couple of inches of moving water could move a car, something moving like this is very dangerous," said Smallwood.

Sharon Potter lives along the creek near the area where Hogan's body was found.

Potter said she and other residents warn neighborhood children about playing in the creek, especially after rainfall.

"It's very sad. Very sad. I have two boys of my own. I can't imagine. My heart goes out to the parents. It's terrible," said Potter.

Hogan was a ninth-grade student at Tulsa's Nathan Hale High School.