ROGERS -- Rogers police arrested a Bentonville man in connection with a fatal car wreck at Eighth and Walnut streets this weekend.
William Schmidt, 35, of Bentonville was arrested on charges of driving under the influence and negligent homicide, according to Rogers police. Police said Schmidt left an event at the City Pump, 623 W. Walnut St., driving his BMW a few minutes after 2 a.m. Sunday.
Witnesses heard Schmidt in an argument on the phone and the saw him leave west on West Walnut Street driving fast, police said. The witnesses saw the BMW enter the intersection with Eighth Street even though the light was red, according to police. Schmidt's car collided with the driver side of a Chevy S10 pickup traveling south on South Eighth Street.
Jerry Jackson, 44, of Siloam Springs, the pickup driver, was pronounced dead upon arrival at Mercy Medical Center.
Schmidt failed field sobriety and measured a 0.19 blood alcohol level, according to police.
NW News on 06/05/2018
