FORT SMITH, Ark. — The Fort Smith Police Department (FSPD) is still searching for the hit-and-run suspect that killed a 21-year-old motorcyclist on the night of Nov. 17, 2023.
The crash took the life of John Stephens who was riding a motorcycle on the 5600 block of Rogers Avenue along with a woman before the crash took place, according to the fatal crash report. The woman survived the crash but was injured.
Officials said the truck could be a 2011-2016 F250/350 Ford truck. The truck could potentially have "extensive damage" on the passenger side window, police said.
FSPD shared new photos of the suspected vehicle and is asking the public to pay attention closely to the "distinctive panel in the tailgate." Investigators said this is typically seen in Ford Platinum, Limited, and King Ranch editions. They also ask the public to pay attention to the items in the bed of the truck for any clues that will help identify the suspect.
Anyone with information that can help this case is asked to contact FSPD at 479-709-5000. There is a reward of up to $1,000 but tips should be submitted to 78-CRIME to be eligible.
John Stephens' sister's Madison Reedy and Amber Johnson have been working non-stop with police to find the driver of the truck.
“I've called a million car lots. I've called a million body shops." said Johnson. "I've called every single business on this road.”
Johnson and Reedy said their brother deserves justice for passing away at such a young age.
"I want him behind bars. And I want to know why he just left them sitting there. I want to talk to this person. And I want them to know how they've impacted our family," said Johnson.
Both sisters said they appreciate how much the community is trying to help with donations to their family and trying to locate the suspect.
“I've had people in Missouri and people in Texas message me and say hey, you know, we seen a truck that resembles this and they're sending me pictures a license plates," Johnson said. “It's meant a whole lot to us. Like if it wouldn't have been for them, we would have never been able to have his funeral."
Now, the sisters say they are adjusting and learning to cope with Stevens gone. "He wouldn't want us to sit around and just mope all the time," Reedy said. "Just trying to continue to do what I was doing while he was still here, and the things that I would do with him."
To read more about the report on the crash, click here.
Editor's note: Unconfirmed footage of the crash has been sent to us, but out of respect for the family 5NEWS has elected not to publish the video online or run it on air.
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