CONWAY — A Conway Police Department officer who was struck by a vehicle while he was directing traffic at the scene of a wreck died Friday.
Officer William Michael McGary, 26, died shortly after 5 p.m. at a Little Rock hospital, police spokesman LaTresha Woodruff said.
Prosecuting Attorney Cody Hiland charged Barry Strickland, 31, of Conway with first-degree battery, driving while intoxicated and other traffic offenses in the collision, Woodruff said in a news release.
Hiland said Friday night that he would evaluate the case over the weekend and decide Monday if any changes are needed in the charges.
McGary was directing traffic after a wreck near Dave Ward Drive and South Exchange Avenue when Strickland’s vehicle struck him shortly before 8 p.m. Thursday, Woodruff said. Arkansas State Police are investigating, she said.
A state police affidavit filed in Faulkner County Circuit Court says Strickland “waived his rights and stated that he had knowingly, while operating on the interstate, driven off the roadway, across the rumble strip and into the grass, at least two times prior to colliding” with McGary.
Arkansas, Pages 10 on 02/02/2013