BENTONVILLE -- A Huntsville man has been arrested and accused of attempting to kill a Lowell police officer.
Jerry Henington, 37, was arrested Wednesday in connection with attempted first-degree murder, battery of a law enforcement officer, unauthorized use of another person's property to facilitate certain crimes, possession of a controlled substance, criminal mischief and driving while intoxicated fifth offense, all felonies. Henington is facing misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest, reckless driving, requirements in accidents involving death or injuries, and speeding in excess of 15 mph over the speed limit.
Prosecutors have not filed formal charges against him.
Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green found Friday that probable cause exists to hold Henington.
Brian Sexton, chief deputy prosecutor, recommended the judge set a $250,000 bond. Sexton said he was concerned about public safety since Henington has a history of fleeing from police. Henington also has a history of failing to appear in court, Sexton said.
Henington said he has lived with his grandmother in Springdale for most of his life. He said he has worked for a few months since getting out of prison. Henington said he served four years for fleeing and driving while intoxicated.
Court documents state Henington has an extensive criminal history, which includes convictions for fleeing, battery, failure to stop after accident with injury/death, criminal mischief and aggravated assault.
The judge set Henington's bond at $250,000 cash only.
Henington was arrested after Lowell police responded to a call concerning a hit and run at 5:50 p.m. Wednesday, according to a probable cause affidavit.
A Lowell police officer was on Center Drive when he encountered a driver in a damaged vehicle, according to the affidavit. The driver pointed out the direction the vehicle that hit him went, the affidavit states.
The officer encountered the suspected vehicle, and the driver started to flee at speeds of over 50 mph on a residential street with a 25 mph speed limit, according to the affidavit.
The fleeing vehicle crashed into a police vehicle at the end of Bluff Drive, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit claims Lowell police officer Juvenal Rubio was targeted in the crash, and he was taken to Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas in Rogers with multiple fractures and torn ligaments in one of his hands.
Lt. Kris Spangler, a certified crash reconstruction expert, believes Henington made a purposeful steering input to seemingly target a certain point on Rubio's occupied vehicle, the affidavit states.
Police believe Henington's actions were intentional and he had time to stop his vehicle for law enforcement, according to the affidavit.
Henington was taken into custody and put in a patrol vehicle but was removed after he continuously struck his head on the inside case, the affidavit states. He was then taken by ambulance to a hospital.
The vehicle's owner reported to police Henington was an acquaintance who had stolen the vehicle from her and she was filing a report with the Washington County sheriff's office, according to the affidavit.
Police could not interview Henington because of his intoxication. Henington was given Narcan at the scene, and he also had to be intubated at the hospital, according to the affidavit.
Tye Elijah Sutton, 18, of Springdale was a passenger in the vehicle with Henington, according to the affidavit. He was arrested in connection with fleeing, possession of controlled substance and resisting arrest.
Sutton said he has worked for a few months at a fast-food restaurant and has family in the area. He has an active arrest warrant for theft by receiving out of the Washington County sheriff's office.
"I just turned 18 on June 4," Sutton told the judge. "Since June 4, I haven't been arrested for anything."
The judge granted Sexton's request by setting Sutton's bond at $50,000 cash or corporate surety.
She appointed the Benton County public defender's office to represent both Henington and Sutton. Their arraignments are set for 8 a.m. July 17 in Green's court.
Tye Sutton
Jerry Henington