PEA RIDGE — Former School Board president Mike Villines died Tuesday, May 10, in connection with a one-vehicle accident on Arkansas Highway 72, east of Gravette, according to the Arkansas State Police.

Mike Villines was elected to the Pea Ridge School Board in September 2001. He served as board president before being defeated in a bid for re-election in 2006.

Villines’ wife Patty, died July 11, 2009. The couple had four sons.

Police said witnesses told officers they found Villines, 57, in a state of medical emergency after his pickup left the roadway.

Officers said Villines was rounding a right-hand curve while traveling west on State Hwy. 72 when his pickup crossed the eastbound lane, entered into a grassy ditch, struck a fence post and came to rest in a field.

Villines death is being investigated as occurring as a result of a medical emergency, not a traffic fatality, police said.

News, Pages 1 on 05/18/2011