Arkansas man charged in Bakersfield hit-and-run


Landon Walker

Landon Walker, 21, of Henderson, Arkansas, has been charged with the class E felony of leaving the scene of an accident with injuries in connection with an Aug. 26 crash near Bakersfield. 

According to the probable cause statement filed by Ozark County Sheriff’s Deputy Seth A. Miller, the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department dispatcher received a report of a hit-and-run crash in Bakers-field at 1:12 a.m. that Wednesday morning. Miller responded and spoke with the owner of the vehicle involved in the collision.

The man said he was traveling to Bakersfield on AR Highway that day when he came up behind Walker’s vehicle, a 2011 GMC or Chevy truck with a black “ranch-style” bumper, and passed it. Walker then reportedly pulled out and attempted to pass the man back in order to get in front of him again. In the process, Walker collided with the driver’s-side rear of the man’s 2003 F-150, the report says, causing extensive damage. Walker did not stop and continued driving down the road after the crash.

The man’s wife, who was riding as a passenger, hit her head on the window during the crash and was transported to Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Doctors found she had a cervical sprain, whiplash and an acute intracranial hemorrhage, also known as a “brain bleed.”

Miller spoke with Walker at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at the sheriff’s office. Walker  was read his Miranda rights and agreed to speak with Miller. Walker reportedly told Miller he had been involved in the collision, but he did not stop or attempt to contact law enforcement to report the crash.

Miller asked if he was aware he needed to stay at the accident scene until law enforcement officers arrived, and he said he was aware he was supposed to, but he left because he knew he had “done wrong.” 

Walker was booked and released from the Ozark County Jail. A criminal summons was issued in the case requiring Walker to appear before Associate Judge Raymond Gross at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17. 

Ozark County Times

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