Driver charged after student hit

FORT SMITH — A motorist arrested after a Southside High School student was hit crossing the street was charged Friday with felony second-degree battery.

Sebastian County Prosecuting Attorney Daniel Shue said he filed the charge against Adam Logan Shaffer, 35, of Fort Smith accusing him of “recklessly causing serious physical injury.”

Shaffer is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in Sebastian County Circuit Court. He was being held in the Sebastian County jail Friday in lieu of $6,000 bond on charges of second-degree battery and unlawful transportation of stolen property to a pawnshop, according to jail records.

The student, Thomas Northrup, 16, was listed in serious condition Friday at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. Fort Smith police Lt. Wes Milam said Northrup suffered brain injuries and several broken bones.

A probable-cause affidavit Shue released with his announcement said Shaffer was speeding north on Old Greenwood Road about 7 a.m. Wednesday.

Northrup was eastbound in a crosswalk on Old Greenwood Road at Gary Street when Shaffer hit him, the affidavit said.

Witnesses said Shaffer, driving a Ford Ranger pickup, ran the red light at Old Greenwood Road.

After his arrest, a drug recognition expert determined Shaffer was impaired, the affidavit said.

Shaffer admitted he took Valium about 4 a.m. Wednesday.

Milam said Northrup also had been injured in August when he was hit by a truck on North 32nd Street in Fort Smith.