1 killed, 1 injured in Bentonville wreck

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

— A man was killed and a woman injured in a one-vehicle accident early Wednesday in the 900 block of North Main Street, according to a report from the Bentonville Police Department.

Emanuel Perez-Serrano, 19, of 2406 S.E. 15th St. in Bentonville was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Berniece Martinez, 18, of 201 Lake St. in Bentonville.

Perez-Serrano was killed when Martinez lost control of the vehicle, left the roadway, became airborne, struck a parked vehicle on the road, then struck a second vehicle parked in a driveway, according to a report.

Both Perez-Serrano and Martinez were ejected from the vehicle, according to police.

Jon Simpson, Bentonville police chief, said the area of the accident has a posted speed limit of 25 mph.

“We don’t have an estimated speed on the vehicle yet,” Simpson said. “But I think it’s safe to say it was exceeded the posted speed.”

Simpson said the accident scene covered two blocks and eventually included four parked vehicles and a motorcycle.

That area of Main Street has a dip in the road, Simpson said.

“Our new officers learn about that area quickly,” Simpson said. “The maximum we can take it running on a call is 45 to 50 (mph). Vehicles bottom out and that’s where a loss of control comes in.”

Simpson said accident reconstruction teams were still trying to sort out the details late Wednesday afternoon.

“This was a really bad accident,” Simpson added. “There are no witnesses. We’re attempting to work with the person taken to the hospital to find out exactly what happened.”

Both victims were taken to Northwest Medical Center-Bentonville. The accident occurred at 2:24 a.m., according to the police report.