Man charged with negligent homicide from wreck
The results of an Arkansas State Crime Laboratory toxicology test have led investigators to charge a Hot Springs man who was involved in a fatal wreck in April with negligent homicide.
Austin Tilmon Meeks, 21, who lists a Sears Hollow Trail address, was taken into custody at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday and charged with negligent homicide, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. He was later released on $2,500 bond.
According to the affidavit, shortly after 12:15
a.m. on April 10, Arkansas State Police Trooper Brandon Margis responded to a one-vehicle wreck on Highway 192 north of Mountain Pine.
Meeks, the driver of a 2008 Chevrolet pickup, was reportedly traveling westbound on Highway 192 when he failed to negotiate a curve and left the roadway. He lost control after overcorrecting, sending his vehicle across both lanes of traffic to the south side of the roadway. The vehicle collided into trees, ejecting both Meeks and his passenger, Dayton K. Garner, 22.
Garner was pronounced dead at the scene by Garland County Coroner Stuart Smedley. A fatality report noted there was light rain falling, and the roadway was wet.
Meeks was transported to CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs where a blood sample was conducted and sent to the state crime lab. The blood samples produced results of a blood alcohol content of 0.11 during a toxicology analysis report. On July 29, medical records from St. Vincent revealed Meeks’ BAC was 0.17 after being transported to the hospital.