HOT SPRINGS -- A driver who crashed into a planter outside a motel over the Memorial Day weekend, causing her car to overturn and fatally strike a pedestrian on a Central Avenue sidewalk, was charged with negligent homicide after her blood reportedly tested positive for marijuana.
Shakeetrya Dunwood, 24, who lists a Higdon Ferry Road address, was taken into custody at 10:45 a.m. Friday and charged with negligent homicide, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Dunwood bonded out and is set to appear Aug. 9 in Garland County District Court.
Witnesses told police that a 2010 Chevrolet Aveo was southbound on Central Avenue near Hobson Avenue around 4 p.m. May 28 when its female driver slumped over the wheel and crossed both northbound lanes. The Aveo hit part of the Continental Motel building, 1535 Central Ave., overturned and struck a pedestrian on the sidewalk. The police department's original news release on the incident said that the Aveo "spun clockwise and then flipped over" after hitting the motel.
The pedestrian was identified as Michael Wicker, 59, of Hardy, who sustained head trauma. He later died at a local hospital from those injuries, according to the affidavit.
Hot Springs police officers who responded to the Continental Motel on May 28 found Dunwood and Wicker lying on the ground near the sidewalk and the Aveo turned onto the driver's side, the affidavit said.
Dunwood was transported by LifeNet to CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs.
At the hospital, Dunwood told police that she had given a ride to a friend earlier after they both had donated blood plasma and, while dropping her off, the friend "lit a blunt." Dunwood allegedly admitted she "took a hit off the blunt." She said that when she drove away she made a turn and then everything went black. Blood drawn at the hospital was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory.
An investigation determined Dunwood was traveling southbound on Central Avenue when she crossed the centerline and the northbound lanes before driving onto the sidewalk and striking a landscaping planter in front of the motel. The impact caused the vehicle to roll over and strike Wicker, who was walking on the sidewalk.
On June 28, results from the crime lab reportedly determined Dunwood's blood sample tested positive for cannabinoids.
State Desk on 08/03/2016