VAN BUREN -- A New Jersey man arrested last week in the death of an 84-year-old woman pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Crawford County Circuit Court to a felony charge of negligent homicide and of driving while intoxicated.
Court records showed Michael Victor Kenask, 35, of Howell, N.J., entered the plea through his attorney, Rex Chronister of Fort Smith, who waived arraignment on the charges.
County jail records show Kenask, who told police he was moving from Oregon to New Jersey, was released from jail Friday after posting a $50,000 bond.
Kenask is accused of hitting and killing Wilma Delores Glass as she crossed U.S. 64 in Van Buren. Glass was using a walker when hit about 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11. She died at the scene.
In police reports, Kenask said he had driven into Van Buren and was looking for a hotel to spend the night and didn't see Glass crossing in front of him.
Officers on the scene smelled intoxicants about Kenask, according to the reports. He admitted he had a couple of drinks when he stopped for lunch in Oklahoma City. A blood alcohol test at the county jail showed he had a blood alcohol content of 0.14 percent. A person with a level of 0.08 percent is considered intoxicated in Arkansas.
According to reports, Kenask gave his address as Howell, N.J., where he was born and worked as a YMCA coach. The criminal complaint listed his home as Medford, Ore., and he had an Oregon driver's license.
NW News on 01/18/2017