Driver faces charges in crosswalk death

HOT SPRINGS -- A Hot Springs man was charged with negligent homicide Thursday after his vehicle reportedly struck a 77-year-old pedestrian in a crosswalk the previous night on Central Avenue.

The victim, William Baker of Malvern, was reportedly in the crosswalk between the Crosswalk Bar and Oaklawn Park shortly before 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. Baker was taken to CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs with severe injuries and later died.

James Lee Goff, 27, who listed a Sonnet Street address, was taken into custody shortly before 10:30 p.m. Wednesday on charges of driving while intoxicated and violation of pedestrians' right of way in crosswalks.

When asked after the accident if he had been drinking, Goff said he had a "couple of beers earlier," according to an affidavit.

Police administered a portable breath test on Goff and found his blood alcohol content to be 0.364, more than four times the legal limit of 0.08. Goff was then placed into custody. A second blood alcohol test was administered at the Garland County jail, with a result of 0.318.

Baker was pronounced dead at 12:30 a.m. Thursday from injuries related to the accident. Goff subsequently was charged with the felony homicide count, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

NW News on 08/23/2015

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