FORT SMITH -- The Police Department on Wednesday confirmed the death of a 17-year-old passenger in a wreck about 12:34 a.m. Saturday.
A redacted copy of the preliminary report of the incident provided by police spokesman Aric Mitchell states the passenger was flown to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock due to the severity of the injuries suffered.
Another passenger, also age 17, had serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to Mitchell. The final report of the incident is pending the results of a toxicology report and other factors.
"No citations have been issued at this time, and alcohol and drugs are not believed to be a factor," Mitchell said.
In the report, Cpl. Kyle Story of the Police Department wrote he was dispatched to a vehicle accident in the 2300 block of Jackson Street. When he and Cpl. Andrew Adams arrived, Story was told the vehicle, a 2003 Toyota Camry, was westbound on Jackson Street and collided with a tree on the south side of the road.
He was also told the vehicle had a driver, a 17-year-old male, and three male passengers, two age 17 and another 11. One of the passengers suffered life-threatening injuries.
Story said both Jackson Street had a very steep grade and the vehicle was coming down the grade. During his and Adams' investigation, it appeared the vehicle was moving at a high speed before the crash. After hitting the curb on the north side of the road, the vehicle turned to the left and went down the hill "essentially sideways."
After sliding down to the point the vehicle left the road, tire marks could be seen in the grass and dirt leading to the impact with the tree.
The vehicle's front was facing south when it hit the tree, spun at least once when it came to a stop in an area near some fallen trees, Story wrote.
The impact with the tree caused the vehicle's rear glass to shatter, and the force of it spinning caused the right side rear seat passenger to be ejected from the vehicle.
Story was also told during the investigation the driver showed no signs of impairment and consented to a blood draw for toxicology.
NW News on 11/21/2019