A woman who tested positive for methamphetamine after a fatal crash in North Little Rock last year was arrested Tuesday and charged with felony negligent homicide, police reported.
Jackie Jean Harris, 41, of Carlisle, was being held in the Pulaski County jail.
The afternoon of Aug. 8, Harris was driving west in the 12500 block of U.S. 165 when she crossed the centerline and struck another vehicle, driven by Michelle Shellabarger, 45, of Magnolia, according to a court affidavit. A passenger in Harris' vehicle, Edith Surrett, 74, of England was killed. A police report lists Harris and Surrett as acquaintances.
Police said Shellabarger was seriously injured in the crash. Three passengers in her vehicle, including two children, were not hurt.
Harris, after being hospitalized, told police she had "started sweating, then opened her eyes and saw the oncoming vehicle," the affidavit states.
"Harris states she had been having muscle spasms and had been nauseous. Harris later declined to be interviewed or give a recorded statement on the accident," police detective Dane Pedersen wrote in the court filing.
Both drivers submitted to blood tests, in accordance with state law. Harris tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the affidavit. Police arrested her about 6 p.m. Tuesday at 201 Phillips Road in Carlisle.
Under Arkansas law, felony negligent homicide occurs when a person "negligently causes the death of another person, not constituting murder or manslaughter, as a result of operating a vehicle, an aircraft, or a watercraft while intoxicated."
Harris was additionally charged with first-degree battery, driving on a suspended license and three counts of aggravated assault.
Court records show Harris was convicted of driving while intoxicated and driving without liability insurance in November 2013.
Metro on 04/28/2016