TEXARKANA POLICE DEPARTMENT
TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
01/04/04
Cpl. Bart Veal
Public Information Officer
903-798-3187 (office) 903-798-2368 (pager)
903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)
A vehicle being driven by a 24yo Texarkana Arkansas man 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 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 (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 will be released.
Accident Reconstructionist Todd Harness is currently investigating the scene. The driver was taken to bi-state for questioning. Witnesses are being questioned as well. Alcohol does not appear to a factor in the accident at this time. It is unknown at this time if the occupants of the car were using their safety belts or if the children were properly restrained.