CONWAY — The driver charged in the death of a Conway Police Department officer who was fatally struck by a vehicle while directing traffic has waived his arraignment hearing, his attorney said.
Barry Strickland, 31, of Conway was scheduled to enter a plea Monday during an initial appearance in Faulkner County Circuit Court.
But attorney Frank Shaw said shortly before the proceeding began that Strickland had waived his first appearance and the case was assigned to Judge Charles Clawson.
Strickland is charged with first-degree battery and driving while intoxicated in the Jan. 31 accident.
Police say officer William Michael McGary was directing traffic on Dave Ward Drive when he was struck by Strickland's vehicle. McGary died at a Little Rock hospital the next day.
Strickland was initially being held in the Faulkner County jail with bail set at $150,000. Shaw said he was released Friday after posting it.