The arraignment of a Fort Smith driver in the death of a pedestrian early Sunday has been delayed, Sebastian County Prosecuting Attorney Daniel Shue said Tuesday.
According to an Arkansas State Police preliminary crash report, Vicki Fielding, 51, of Fort Smith was driving south on North Greenwood Avenue on Sunday. When Fielding entered the center turn lane at the North J Street intersection, she struck Natanael Dejarnett, 20, of Wellington, Kan, the report states. According to a news release from the Fort Smith Police Department, witnesses said Dejarnett was walking in the middle of the road when he was struck by Fielding’s vehicle.
Fort Smith police officers were dispatched about 12:59 a.m., according to the release. Dejarnett was pronounced dead at the scene, and Fielding was arrested in connection with charges of driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and refusal to take a alcohol breath test, according to the release.
Corporal Patricia Sullivan, a spokesman for the Fort Smith Police Department, said Fielding was booked into the Sebastian County jail Sunday morning, and was released the same day on $15,000 bond.
Fielding was scheduled for an arraignment hearing Tuesday morning in Fort Smith District Court , but the case was transferred to Sebastian County Circuit Court and the arraignment was delayed as investigators continue to gather evidence, Shue said Tuesday.
Shue said he was contacted about the case between 3:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. Sunday. Shue said that he requested an autopsy on Dejarnett and that it will likely be Friday before he decides what charges, if any, will be filed against Fielding.
Arkansas, Pages 8 on 10/30/2013