Wednesday, December 19, 2012
No suspicions in fire that killed 2
ONYX - Authorities do not suspect foul play in a Yell County house fire that killed two people and injured a third, the sheriff’s office said Monday.
The remains of two people - whom authorities believe to be Steven Halsell, 35, and his father, Dewey Halsell, 68 - were recovered from the debris early Friday, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
Sheriff Bill Gilkey said the fire at the two-story home took place about 10 p.m. Thursday. The victims’ remains have been sent to the state medical examiner’s office.
Sheriff’s Deputy John Foster said the blaze destroyed the house. While authorities do not know what caused the fire, he said, they do not suspect foul play.
A third person, Lynda Halsell, 62, managed to escape but suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation, Foster said. Lynda Halsell was Dewey Halsell’s wife, Foster said.
LR investigating officer after arrest
A Little Rock police officer is under investigation after his arrest early Sunday on charges of domestic battery in Saline County.
In a prepared statement to the media released Monday night, Little Rock Police Department spokesman Sgt. Cassandra Davis said officer James Youngblood “has been relieved of duty (with pay)” and that his arrest in Saline County has prompted an internalaffairs investigation.
Youngblood, who joined the department in 2009, is a patrol officer in the downtown division.
Saline County sheriff’s office spokesman Lt.
Scottie Courtney said Youngblood was arrested, charged with third-degree domestic battery and then booked at the Saline County jail about 12:30 a.m.
According to Saline County jail officials, Youngblood, who was facing a $5,000 bond, was released on his own recognizance at 11:56 a.m. Monday.
Details of the arrest were unavailable from Saline County officials late Monday afternoon.
Calls to Davis were not returned late Monday afternoon.
LR motorist dies
after 1-car crash
A Little Rock man was pronounced dead less than an hour after his car slammed into a utility pole early Monday, according to a Little Rock police report.
Corliss Terrell, 18, of 4505 Hosie Lane was headed south on Confederate Boulevard about 1:39 a.m.
when he lost control of his car on a curve just south of Willard Street.
Terrell’s 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo crossed the centerline, turned 180 degrees, and hit a utility pole, the report said.
The driver was ejected from the vehicle.
Terrell was taken to UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock, where he waspronounced dead at 2:30 a.m.
U.S. park attack
gets man 3 years
HOT SPRINGS - A Lonsdale man was sentenced to three years in prison for attacking a woman in Hot Springs National Park.
Chief Ranger John Hughes said Monday that 34-year-old Bobby Allen Furr was sentenced to federal prison after being convicted of assault and domestic battery for the attack in March across from the Gulpha Gorge Campground in the park.
Hughes said park rangers were called by motorists who witnessed the March 5 attack and that Furr escaped into a wooded area when rangers arrived - but was later found and arrested at a nearby motel.
Hughes said Furr was also ordered to reimburse the woman for her medical bills as part of Friday’s sentencing.
Nashville couple killed in wreck
HOPE - Authorities said a Nashville couple has died after a three-vehicle wreck in south Arkansas.
An Arkansas State Police report said the accident happened Saturday afternoon in Hope. Authorities said a pickup rear-ended a sport utility vehicle, which then crashed into a car driven by 74-year-old Cecil Harris.
State police said Harris and his wife, 66-year-old Mary Harris, were taken to a hospital, where they later died.
The Texarkana Gazette reported that Cecil Harris had worked as a photographer and darkroom technician for 41 years at the Nashville News. Coworkers said Mary usuallyaccompanied her husband on photo assignments of parades, banquets and sporting events.
Police in Hope said the wreck remains under investigation and no charges had been filed.
Runaway trailer leaves 2 dead
MORRILTON - Arkansas State Police said two people were killed when their vehicles were struck by a trailer that detached from a truck.
State police said the accident happened Monday on Arkansas 95 in Conway County two miles north of Interstate 40. A preliminary report said a trailer somehow disconnected from a truck driving north and moved into the southbound lanes.
The trailer struck two vehicles driven by 43-yearold Kevin Whitbey of Morrilton and 24-year-old Rogelio Morales of Springfield.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities said the truck’s driver was not injured.
Northwest Arkansas, Pages 8 on 12/19/2012