Cpl. Bart Veal

Public Information Officer

903-798-3187 (office) 903-798-2368 (pager)

903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)

Texarkana Arkansas Police Badge

Re: Fatality Accident, 2yo victim

A vehicle being driven by a 24yo Jay W. Lee of Texarkana Arkansas veered off the road in the 100 Block of Seibert Street and crashed into a canal killing a 2yo occupant. The accident occurred around 7:40pm tonight. When patrol officers arrived they found a 1998 Oldsmobile Achieva overturned in a canal. A 2yo female victim was lying outside the vehicle and was pronounced dead upon arrival at a local hospital. It appears that the child had been thrown from the vehicle and may have been struck by the vehicle.

The vehicle was traveling north on Seibert when the driver failed to follow a curve along the roadway, which led to a bridge across the canal. The vehicle traveled over a stop sign, struck two guard poles, and cut a utility pole in half on its way to overturning below the bridge in the canal. Four people, two children and two adults occupied the car. The adults were in the front seats and children in the back seat according to statements. The mother Kimetria Smith 23yo of Texarkana Arkansas (and passenger) of the deceased child declined medical treatment along with the driver. A 3yo child and 2yo child was transported to a local hospital where the 2yo was pronounced dead. The 3yo child was treated for minor injuries and released.

Accident Reconstructionist Todd Harness is currently investigating the accident. Officer Harness stated, “Preliminary investigations show that seat belts were not in use and no child safety seats have been located in the car or around the crash site.”

A blood alcohol sample and urine sample was taken from the driver (Lee). This is standard practice in any accident involving serious injury or loss of life. Lee registered a blood alcohol level of 0.00% and drinking while driving has been ruled out. The results of the urinalysis are pending.