An arrest warrant has been issued for an Independence County man after the vehicle he was driving seriously injured a passenger.
On Jan. 16, Arkansas State Trooper First Class Chris Barnett reported Eric Wayne Williams, 27, was driving a Hyundai Sonata on Newport Road when Williams apparently lost control of the vehicle in a curve, causing the Sonata to leave the roadway and strike a driveway culvert, according to court filings from Independence County Circuit Court. The vehicle then became airborne before striking a tree.
Barnett reported a blood draw from Williams that was sent to the crime lab came back with a blood alcohol content reading of .195 — more than double the amount of the legal limit.
The trooper said the passenger in the Sonata was seriously injured and flown to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, where they were treated for broken bones, an injured vertebra in the back, and other injures.
The court information noted that based on the circumstances and injuries to the passenger, Williams’ actions qualify as a Class C felony in Arkansas — battery in the second degree. Plus Williams is also charged with six misdemeanors: driving while intoxicated, no valid driver’s license, reckless driving, no liability insurance, failure to register a motor vehicle, and fictitious tags.
When Williams is taken into custody, he will face a bond of $50,000.
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