Hit and run driver nabbed

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

— The red Dodge truck crossed the center line in front of police Cpl. MitchBrown Monday evening, moments after receiving a report about the vehicle from Benton County Central Communications.

The truck entered the city on Arkansas Highway 72 from the west.

Tyler Thompson was almost home. But not home free.

Thompson stopped on Butler Street in front of his house on Daniel Street in response to the blue lights behind him. He appeared to be intoxicated, police said.

Noticing that the driver’s side mirror was damaged, Brown contacted CENCOM to inquire about accidents in the area. Brown learned that a red truck had just been involved in an accident on Arkansas 72 at Dove Road and left the scene.

Apparently, Thompson had crossed the center line of Arkansas 72, near Dove Road in front of Jac’s Ranch, where he collided with a white Chevrolet truck driven by Christopher Tedrick.

“I saw him coming and swerved to miss him,” Tedrick said.

The mirrors of the two trucks struck.

Arkansas State Police Trooper George Enke investigated the hit-and-run accident.

State charges against Thompson include driving while suspended for DWI (fifth), careless/prohibited driving (eighth), no seat belt (fourth) and leaving the scene of a non-Injury crash.

Pea Ridge police charged Thompson with DWI/ drugs, driving on a suspended driver’s license, no seat belt, careless driving, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.

He was taken to the hospital for a blood test and then booked into the Benton County Jail.

News, Pages 6 on 08/03/2011