FAYETTEVILLE -- A Nob Hill man was criminally negligent when he veered into oncoming traffic and caused a fatal accident in August 2012, a Washington County Circuit Court jury found Wednesday.
Fayetteville police said Nathan Sizemore, 20, was traveling east on Huntsville Road near Jarnigan Street when the Toyota Solara he was driving crossed the center line. The car collided head-on with a Jeep Liberty driven by Angela Strong, 26, of Lincoln.
Strong, who wasn't wearing a seat belt, died at Washington Regional Medical Center after the collision.
Sizemore was 18 at the time and didn't have a driver's license. He was charged with misdemeanor negligent homicide. After being convicted in Fayetteville District Court in May, Sizemore appealed the conviction to Circuit Court.
Sizemore was sentenced Thursday to eight months in jail and fined $1,000.
Also injured were Cody Whittle, 20, of Springdale, the owner of the Solara; Aaron McAbee, 21, of Lincoln, a passenger in Strong's car; and Strong's 3-year-old son, William Rife, who was in a car seat in the Jeep's rear seat. All were taken to Washington Regional and admitted, mostly with serious leg injuries.
Brian Thomas, city deputy prosecutor, argued Sizemore was negligent for not having a driver's license and for losing control of the car, veering into oncoming traffic.
"When you don't stay in your lane, bad things happen," Thomas said. "He shouldn't have been driving; he didn't have a license."
Sizemore testified Wednesday that Whittle was tired and had asked him to drive. They were headed to Pettigrew from Springdale.
Sizemore said the Toyota hit a wet spot, hydroplaned and he had no time to react before impact with the oncoming Jeep.
Jim Evans, Sizemore's attorney, said the road was somewhat wet. No alcohol or drugs were involved, and Sizemore was not speeding, tailgating, driving reckless, texting or phoning or messing with the radio, Evans said.
"Mr. Sizemore hit a wet spot and slid over," Evans said. "He was doing nothing wrong before it happened."
NW News on 09/11/2014