Accident takes life of recent CHS graduate

(Editor's note: This story will be updated as more information from officials becomes available.)

The Comanche community was mourning the loss of one of its recent high school graduates on Monday.

Noah (Nichols) Presgrove, a CHS Class of 2023 graduate, was killed in an a possible hit and run incident north of Terral on Highway 81 as he was apparently walking along the road, according to a source at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.

The department received two phone calls about 15 minutes apart in the early morning hours on Monday about a body on the side of the road.

The source said that since it appeared to be a hit and run incident, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) has taken over the investigation. No further information has been released as of press time on Tuesday.

Condolences and prayers to family and friends flowed on social media throughout the day on Monday.

Presgrove was a popular four-sport athlete at Comanche. He played football, ran cross country and track, and wrestled. He was a state qualifier in both wrestling and track, finishing third in his weight class at the state wrestling meet in 2023.

“Noah was a good kid,” said Jason Miller, who coached Presgrove in cross country and track. “I always enjoyed coaching him. He always did what I asked of him and he didn’t complain. I think he was a free soul. I think he saw the world differently than most of the other athletes. He was so laid back.”

Miller said the only time he remembered Presgrove telling him he was nervous was after Presgrove cleared 6-0 in the high jump at the state track meet.

“His nonchalant approach in that event always had other coaches watching him,” Miller said. “I just picture him coming to practice on his skateboard. I never heard him utter a bad word about anyone. He was fun to be around.”
Casy Rowell, Presgrove’s football and wrestling coach, also had high praise for his former athlete.

“I got to be a part of Noah’s life for the past seven years through teaching and coaching,” Rowell said in a Facebook post. “He was one of a kind and he would have fought a bear for me. I would have done the same for him. This one hits hard and I am still in disbelief.”

A Facebook post by Comanche Public Schools said school-based counselors would be available to support students and staff.

“On behalf of the administration and our school, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of (Noah)and to all of our community,” the post said.

A GoFundMe page (www.gofundme.com/f/noah-presgrove) has been set up to help the family with funeral and other expenses.