Garrett pleads guilty to negligent homicide

Benn Garrett
Benn Garrett

FAYETTEVILLE -- An Oklahoma man pleaded guilty Wednesday in Washington County Circuit Court to felony negligent homicide in connection with a fatal accident in February.

Benn Tyler Garrett, 26, of Stilwell, Okla., also pleaded guilty to reckless driving battery and leaving the scene of an accident.

Garrett was sentenced to a year in jail to be followed by 12 years probation and ordered to pay $100,000 restitution. A $2,500 fine will be suspended upon payment of victim restitution.

Garrett was traveling east on Arkansas 16 at night when he crossed the center line and collided with another vehicle, according to the state police's accident report. Bounthavy Douangphachanh of Fayetteville, 58, was driving the other vehicle and was killed.

Sinoune Douangphachanh, 54, was treated and released at Washington Regional Medical Center.

Conditions were wet and misty at the time, according to the state police report.

NW News on 07/30/2015

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