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Driver Facing Prison After Pedestrian Killed

A driver accused of hitting and killing a pedestrian with her boyfriend’s truck returns to jail after additional arrest warrants were issued following an ...

A driver accused of hitting and killing a pedestrian with her boyfriend's truck returns to jail after arrest warrants were issued following an investigation by police and prosecutors.

Vicki Fielding, 51, was booked into the Sebastian County Detention at 4:10 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 31) on charges negligent homicide and driving while intoxicated. Each charge carries a $75,000 bond, according to Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Claybrook.

Nathanael Dejarnett, 20, of Wellington, Kan., was walking down the center lane on Greenwood Avenue when he was struck by what is described by police as a 1992 pick up truck. He was declared dead at the scene, and his body was transported to the Sebastian County Coroner’s Office, according to an Arkansas State Police crash report.

Fielding was traveling south on North Greenwood Avenue, readying to turn left onto North J. Street near her home, when the pick-up truck struck the pedestrian in the center turn lane, the report states. Eyewitnesses told police Dejarnett was walking down the middle of the road.

The wreck happened just after midnight. Conditions were clear and dry at the time of the crash, according to the crash report.

Officers responding to the accident could smell "intoxicants" on Fielding and her eyes were red and watery, according to the affidavit for warrant of arrest. The report states Fielding admitted at that time to drinking two beers.

Fielding failed three field sobriety tests and was taken to Sparks Hospital where blood was drawn and sent to the state crime lab, according to the report. Fielding then claimed to have consumed three beers Saturday evening before driving.

The affidavit states the medical examiner determined Dejarnett's cause of death to be multiple blunt force injuries from being struck by the vehicle.

Fielding was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and refusal to submit to a breath test, according to police. Records show Fielding posted a $1,500 bond Sunday evening and was released.

The prosecuting attorney's office officially filed charges of negligent homicide and driving while intoxicated Friday morning (Nov. 1).

"Negligent homicide is a B felony and that is filed in cases where it's alleged that someone is operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and causes the death of someone under circumstances not constituting murder or manslaughter," said Claybrook, adding the crime is punishable from five to 20 years in the Department of Corrections and up to a $15,000 fine.

Driving while intoxicated is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine, Claybrook said.

Court records show the prosecuting attorney's office also filed a petition to revoke stemming from a 2004 case where fielding plead guilty to charges of delivering cocaine and a 2006 case where she plead guilty to breaking or entering.

According to Claybrook, Fielding is schedule to appear before a circuit court judge at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

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