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UA Student Released From Jail Before Critical Accident

A University of Arkansas student who was critically injured on-foot in a Monday morning car crash was released from jail the day before the accident. Douglas Sw...

A University of Arkansas student who was critically injured on-foot in a Monday morning car crash was released from jail the day before the accident.

Douglas Swift, 23, was hit by a car on Highway 412 early Monday morning and was taken by helicopter to Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo., according to Tontitown police.

Police responding to the accident said Swift was hit by a woman driving a black car just before 4:30 a.m. Monday (April 1) in Tontitown in front of Guido's Pizza.

Police said the driver, Keisa Franklin, is not facing any charges. She was driving westbound when she saw a group of pedestrians on the curb near the roadway. She changed lanes to the inside and struck the University of Arkansas student, police said.

Medical officials tracked down the student's family. Swift's family is not from the area, according to police.

Tontitown police were back out at the scene around 8:30 continuing their investigation. Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be a factor in the accident, according to Tontitown police.

Franklin's black car involved in the crash was towed from the scene.

Area patients suffering from life-threatening or head injuries are often airlifted to Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo.

Swift was not listed as a patient at the hospital Monday afternoon. Patients who are not listed on the public registry may have requested to be left off the list, or are no longer patients at a hospital.

Swift was arrested Saturday on suspicion of misdemeanor conspiracy to commit theft. He was released Sunday from the Washington County Detention Center on $685 bond, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Police said the woman Swift was with, Taylor Heath, stole a purse and two iPhones from nearby bars. Swift told police he knew of the thefts and helped Heath avoid getting caught, according to a preliminary report from the Washington County Prosecutor's Office.

Heath was arrested on suspicion of felony theft and misdemeanor theft. She was released Sunday from jail on $3,185 bond, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Swift and Heath were arrested last September in connection with a fight that started near a fraternity house and spilled out onto the streets.

UA Student Released From Jail Before Critical Accident

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