WALNUT RIDGE — A man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to using drugs and driving his pickup into a Hardee's restaurant in Newport, killing two diners and injuring five other people.
Gary W. Nicholson, 45, of Newport entered guilty pleas Monday to two felony manslaughter charges in the Sept. 5, 2006, deaths of school retirees Beverly Tapp, 61, and Hilda Jane Wright, 67, according to Prosecutor Henry Boyce.
Police say Nicholson was traveling south on Arkansas 367 when he apparently lost control of his vehicle, crossed two northbound lanes of traffic, left the highway and traveled 85 feet before jumping a curb and crashing into the east side of the restaurant.
An affidavit filed with the Jackson County District Court said a field assessment indicated that Nicholson had used cocaine the day of the accident. After his arrest, his probation for a drug conviction in another case was revoked and he began serving a five-year sentence.
The case was moved to Lawrence County at the request of the defense.
Besides the manslaughter charges, Nicholson pleaded guilty before Lawrence County Circuit Judge Phil Smith to four felony battery charges, felony criminal mischief, misdemeanor battery, and misdemeanor driving while intoxicated.