Bella Vista Man Pleads Not Guilty

Whitehead Faces Charges Of Negligent Homicide, Leaving Scene Of Accident

BENTONVILLE — A Bella Vista man pleaded not guilty to charges in connection with a fatal car crash that happened last year.

Brandon Keith Whitehead, 39, entered the plea Monday morning during an arraignment before Circuit Judge Robin Green. Whitehead was arrested Dec. 14.

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

Cpl. Desmond Benton with the Arkansas State Police responded to the accident. A Bella Vista officer already on scene reported the driver had left. Police located the driver, later identified as Whitehead, north of the accident area. Whitehead was transported to a local hospital, according to court documents.

Cpl. Ray Triplett with State Police talked with Whitehead at the hospital. A blood sample from Whitehead also was obtained. The affidavit stated Benton described Whitehead as having red, watery eyes, slurred speech and an odor of intoxicants. Whitehead told Benton 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 said he lost control of his vehicle on wet pavement and traveled into the northbound lane before hitting another vehicle, according to court documents.

Whitehead said he went to check on Keeler, then started directing traffic and later left the scene to call for help, according to the affidavit.

Whitehead, free on $30,000 bond, faces charges 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.

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