Pine Bluff man charged with negligent homicide in fatal wreck

Clarence Ramsey Smith
Clarence Ramsey Smith

A Pine Bluff man has been arrested on a charge of negligent homicide in a fatal May traffic crash.

North Little Rock police say Clarence Ramsey Smith, 55, has a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit when he was involved in a three-vehicle crash about 2:30 p.m. May 3 at Maumelle Boulevard and Maumelle Curve Court.

According to a North Little Rock police accident report, Smith was driving a Ford Explorer east on Maumelle Boulevard when the vehicle veered across the median and into westbound traffic, where it hit two vehicles.

Wanda Hopkins, 75, of North Little Rock, was driving one of those vehicles. She died a week after the accident from injuries suffered in it.

Smith's blood was drawn to test for intoxication levels. Authorities said Tuesday that the sample came back from the state Crime Laboratory showing his blood-alcohol level was 0.19.

According to the accident report, Smith acknowledged drinking four beers on the day of the collision and police observed empty beer cans in his vehicle.

A warrant was issued, and he was arrested Monday afternoon at the North Little Rock police detective office.

Smith remained in the Pulaski County jail Tuesday morning with bail set at $10,000. A preliminary court appearance is set for later Tuesday.

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