Police work to confirm passenger's identity in fatal LR collision

Authorities were working Tuesday to confirm the identify a passenger who died in a collision in Little Rock the day before.

The Little Rock Police Department said the man's body was sent to the state Crime Laboratory "for an examination and to have fingerprints taken" after the Monday afternoon wreck at 19th Street and University Avenue.

Police say 45-year-old Tara Ann Gibson was driving the Nissan when it collided with a 2011 Dodge Challenger. The impact sent the Nissan into a nearby business, the Hogmans Gameday Superstore at 1819 S. University Ave.

The passenger died at the scene.

Gibson was taken to CHI St. Vincent's Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, police said, noting that she had been driving with an expired, suspended license.

Police interviewed Gibson, who was "medicated and did not recall the accident," according to a statement. Little Rock Police Department Sgt. Cassandra Davis said Gibson did tell authorities who was in the vehicle with her but that officials still had to positively identify the body at the crime lab.

The driver of the Challenger suffered only a minor injury to his wrists where the airbag hit them, police said. He was released after providing a statement.

The statement said it was unclear who was at fault or how the wreck occurred and that investigators were checking with area businesses for possible video of the collision.

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