Proceedings suspended in negligent homicide case

Proceeding were suspended Monday in the criminal case against of a Bella Vista man facing felony charges in connection with a fatal car crash.

Brandon Whitehead is charged with of negligent homicide, a Class B felony; leaving scene of personal injury accident (death), a Class D felony; and first offense driving while intoxicated. He faces five to 20 years in prison if convicted of negligent homicide. The other felony charge is punishable with up to six years in prison.

Shane Wilkinson, Whitehead’s attorney, requested a mental evaluation for his client.

Circuit Judge Robin Green granted the request and ordered that Whitehead undergo a mental evaluation at Ozark Guidance in Springdale.

Whitehead was arrested Dec. 14, 2012.

Whitehead and Robert Keeler were southbound on Arkansas 279 when Whitehead lost control of his vehicle while negotiating a curve and struck the front of another vehicle, according to court documents.

Keeler, 32, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to court records.

According to court documents, Whitehead left the accident scene and was later found by police and transported to the hospital.

Whitehead told a state trooper he drank four large shots of whiskey at Keeler’s house prior to the accident. Whitehead claimed he was driving Keeler to a friend’s house because Keeler was too drunk to drive, according to court documents.

Whitehead is free on $30,000 bond.

His next court appearance is set for Sept. 3.

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