FORT SMITH (KFSM) — The Fort Smith prosecutor attorney’s office announced on Wednesday (Oct. 12) that no criminal charges would be filed against an officer who struck a pedestrian pushing a motorcycle in August.
Prosecuting attorney Daniel Shue said that no criminal offense had been committed in the death of Jonathan Leroy Logston on Aug. 6.
Officer Jarrod Taylor was driving south on Highway 271 around 3:30 a.m. to back up another officer needing assistance when he hit Jonathan Logston, 36, of Heavener, Oklahoma, Grubbs said.
Logston was pushing a motorcycle northbound in the southbound lanes when he was hit, according to Grubbs. Taylor could not see the motorcycle since it was not running and its lights were off, Grubbs said.
Taylor hit his brakes and swerved, but was unable to avoid the collision, according to court documents. Logston struck the windshield and the front pillar of the patrol vehicle, which caused fatal injuries.
After the accident, Taylor reported the accident and tried to administer first aid, but it was unsuccessful, the letter states. He also contacted Fort Smith EMS for assistance.
The Fort Smith Police Department investigated the accident in regards to distracted and impaired driving, and cleared Taylor of both. His last text message was sent six minutes before the accident, and a blood test showed his system was free of drugs or alcohol.
A medical examiner from the Arkansas State Crime lab determined that Logston’s death was an accident.
