A Huntsville man faces a charge of negligent homicide in a crash that resulted in the death of a 17-year-old Huntsville High School senior in March, according to a probable cause affidavit filed this week by Billy Allred, deputy prosecuting attorney for Madison County.
Timothy J. Fort, 21, was booked into the Madison County jail Monday and was then released on a $10,000 bond. His attorney, Michael Dodson, declined to comment Tuesday.
Fort attended a party on March 1 in Madison County with Erika Slate, 17, and Landon Bolinger Mason, 21, both of Huntsville, according to the affidavit. The affidavit alleges that Fort drank large amounts of vodka and became unruly, and that owners of the property asked him to leave.
Fort sped away in a 2007 Chrysler Aspen sport utility vehicle with Slate in the front passenger seat and Mason in a rear passenger seat, the affidavit states. As the Aspen rounded a curve on Arkansas 45, between Clifty and Hindsville in Madison County, Fort lost control of the vehicle and it overturned and struck a tree, the affidavit says.
The crash occurred at 10:38 p.m. March 1, according to a report from Arkansas State Police. The road was wet because of snow.
Slate died March 19 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo., according to the police report. Mason was severely injured, according to the affidavit.
Fort also faces charges of reckless driving and first-degree battery in the crash, according to the affidavit.
Northwest Arkansas, Pages 9 on 05/23/2013