FORT SMITH, Ark. — On Oct. 22, the Fort Smith Police Department (FSPD) issued a warrant for the man accused of killing a 13-year-old boy on Kelley Highway.
According to officials, on Oct. 11, Nehemiah Jackson was walking home from the library when he was hit by a vehicle and died on the scene. The vehicle involved was a 2016 RAM 2500 pickup truck driven by 61-year-old Craig Asplund, according to FSPD.
The affidavit revealed that Asplund was coming from work when he reached the intersection of Kelley Highway and North 44th Street. Officials said Asplund turned right onto Kelley Highway and hit the teen who was crossing the road. Officials emphasized that although there was no crosswalk painted at the intersection, the crosswalk qualifies as an "unmarked crosswalk," and "Asplund failed to yield to the crossing pedestrian."
DWI
Police said that Asplund was "tense, lethargic, and sleepy" during their interactions with him and "almost falling asleep." This prompted officials to perform sobriety tests on him, which he failed, the affidavit said. Asplund was then taken into custody.
A Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) was called in and noticed Asplund "appeared sleepy" and was slumped in the chair when he went into the room. The affidavit also described Asplund had "low, raspy, thick and slurred speech and droopy eyelids." After the DRE performed tests on Asplund, he determined that the suspect was "impaired by a narcotic analgesic and unable to operate a vehicle safely."
Arrest
Asplund was arrested for DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) on the same night and bailed out on Oct. 12, according to police.
After the case was presented to the Sebastian County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, a warrant was issued for Asplund on Tuesday, Oct. 22, for negligent homicide, according to FSPD.
Police said Asplund turned himself in on the same day and then bonded out. Inmate records show Asplund was booked at 9:15 p.m. and released at 10:17 p.m. on a $25,000 bond.
Asplund's next court date is set for Oct. 30, 2024, at 9 a.m.
FSPD said this is an active investigation, and more information will be released when appropriate.
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