FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A Fayetteville 20-year-old accused of attempting to flee a traffic stop and causing a fatal car crash in the process has been booked in Washington County on a murder charge.
Noah Cargill, 20, was booked into the Washington County jail on Jan. 16 and is accused of first-degree murder, possession of firearm by certain persons, and multiple traffic violations, including running a red light, speeding, and careless driving.
According to a release from Arkansas State Police (ASP), Cargill was fleeing a trooper who was attempting to conduct a traffic stop on Jan. 13 when he lost control and crashed into an oncoming vehicle, killing the driver.
ASP says that the trooper attempted a traffic stop because the suspect was allegedly driving recklessly on Wedington Drive.
ASP says that Cargill then attempted to flee, running a red light and traveling through a neighborhood at high speeds, before losing control of his vehicle near Rupple Road and crashing into an oncoming vehicle, killing the driver.
The driver, David Michael Pemberton, 56, of California, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The ASP release originally said that Cargill would be charged with negligent homicide for the incident.
“This tragedy is precisely the reason we’ve been imploring people not to flee from law enforcement,” ASP Colonel Mike Hagar said. “Fleeing from law enforcement is a selfish act that risks the lives of everyone on the road. We pray for the family of the innocent civilian killed today.”
Cargill is currently being held on a $750,000 bond, according to his booking. He has a hearing in Washington County on Feb. 16.
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