A Benton man was killed and two people were injured in a two-vehicle accident in Little Rock Friday afternoon. Arkansas State Police believe a high-speed race was likely the cause of the Saturday afternoon accident on I-430 that left an 84-year-old dead, and his wife injured.
According to a preliminary report, Gerald Stuart Allen, 84, was northbound on Interstate 430 north at the 4-mile marker when the 2015 Toyota Avalon he was driving was hit on the rear bumper by a 2012 Dodge Challenger driven by Darmel Dashun Batemon jr., 20, of North Little Rock that was also northbound. Police said that on Saturday two motorists were racing each other on I-430 when one of the racing vehicles hit another car.
After impact, the Toyota ran off the road and hit two trees and the Dodge also ran off the roadway and hit a tree.
Allen died as a result of the accident and a passenger in his car, Lucille Kiser Allen, 81, of Benton and Batemon were injured and taken to UAMS for treatment. "This tragedy was the result of someone acting recklessly," said Captain Jeff Sheeler with Arkansas State Police. The driver that caused the accident is in custody and charges are pending.
The accident was reported at 1:25 p.m. and the death was the 146th fatal car accident so far this year on the state’s highways.
If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident the Personal Injury Attorneys at The Brad Hendricks Law Firm can help!
For more information visit the Arkansas State Police Fatal Crash Summary page here.