Arkansas law enforcement urge drivers to slow down

This summer, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is teaming up with Arkansas law enforcement to keep drivers and passengers safe by raising awareness about the dangers of speeding and urging drivers to obey speed limits.

From July 17 through July 31, law enforcement officers will be on higher alert for speeding vehicles while participating in the Speeding Slows You Down campaign. If you’re pulled over for speeding, you can expect to be issued a ticket for breaking the law.

Not only is speeding illegal, it’s deadly. In 2020, speeding killed 11,258 people, accounting for more than one-quarter of all traffic fatalities. Tragically, there was a dramatic increase (17%) in speeding-related fatalities from 2019-2020, with a projected 5% increase from 2020-2021. NHTSA and Arkansas law enforcement officers remind drivers that, no matter how experienced you are as a driver, ultimately, Speeding Slows You Down.

Much like impaired driving, speeding is a selfish choice that can have deadly consequences for the driver, vehicle passenger, and pedestrians. Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around another vehicle, a hazardous object, or an unexpected curve. Even the safest cars with the newest technologies are limited in reducing the odds of a crash and the injuries or death that may result.

“Speed limit signs are not suggestions. They are the law,” said Arkansas Public Safety Secretary Colonel Mike Hagar. “They are posted for the safety of the driver and others on the road. If you’re killed in a crash, or if you kill someone else, there’s no second chance. Speeding just isn’t worth the risk.”

According to NHTSA, local roads are more dangerous than highways for speeders: In 2020, 87% of all speeding-related traffic fatalities on American roads occurred on non-interstate roadways.

Additionally, young drivers and motorcyclists are especially susceptible to high speeds, and they represent the largest demographic involved in speeding-related crashes. In 2020, 27% of males ages 18-44 and 17% of female drivers ages 18-34 involved in fatal crashes were speeding.

Alcohol and weather also increase the likelihood of a crash while speeding. In 2020, 37% of the drivers involved in fatal crashes were speeding and had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, compared to 17% of non-speeding drivers. The chances of a crash on wet roads also increases drastically when a vehicle is speeding.

Whether it’s the type of roadway, weather conditions, age of the driver, or impairment, speeding is dangerous for everyone involved. Don’t risk it, obey the posted speed limits and avoid the consequences. Remember,

Speeding Slows You Down.

For more information, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/ speeding/ or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at 501-618-8136.

For more on Arkansas’ ongoing Toward Zero Deaths campaign to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities, visit www.TZDArkansas.org/.

The following information was received from Polk County law enforcement agencies. The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts. Individuals charged and whose names appear in this column may submit documentation to us at a later date that the charges have been dismissed, or that they have been found innocent, and we will include that information in this space in a timely manner.

POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S LOG

June 26, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 125 near Mena in reference to a Physical Domestic Disturbance.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 42 near Mena in reference to a verbal domestic dispute leading to the arrest of Esker Smith, 74, of Mena on a charge of Disorderly Conduct.

June 27, 2023

Deputies responded to a report of dogs being shot.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Winter Lane near Hatfield in reference to an altercation.

Deputies responded to a report of an altercation at a residence on Hwy 8 E near Board Camp.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to abuse.

June 28, 2023

Kaitlyn Moss, 25, of Little Rock was arrested on a Parole Hold.

Levi Martin, 39, of Lockesburg was arrested on a Felony Warrant for Furnishing Prohibited Articles.

Deputies responded to a report of a theft of property. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Britney Watts, 25, of Mena was arrested on a Felony Warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine or Cocaine with Purpose to Deliver.

Brianna Vanauken, 40, of Bonnerdale was arrested on four Failure to Appear Warrants.

Deputies responded to a residence on Rodgers Drive near Cove in reference to a verbal dispute.

June 29, 2023

Elena Hendershot, 40, of Mena was arrested on a charge of Public Intoxication. A traffic stop on Hwy 88 E near Mena led to the arrest of Chad Terrell, 41, of

Oden on a charge of DWI and Michael Mellette, 38, of Oden on a Failure to Appear Warrant.

Deputies responded to a report of vandalism.

Deputies responded to a report of a theft of a firearm.

Deputies responded to a residence on Winter Lane near Hatfield in reference to a dispute. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

June 30, 2023

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to an attempted break-in and vandalism at a residence on Dallas Lane near Mena.

Dawn Rios, 42, of Mena was arrested on a Felony Warrant for 2nd Degree Forgery.

Stephanie Henry, 31, of Mena was arrested on warrants for 2nd Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Minor.

July 1, 2023

James Case, 50, of Grannis was arrested on warrants for 3rd Degree Domestic Battery and 2nd Degree Terroristic Threatening.

A traffic stop near Cove led to the arrest of Shawn Loyd, 44, of Grannis on charges of DWI, Careless and Prohibited Driving, Driving on a Suspended DL, Driving Left of Center, Fleeing in a Vehicle and to be held for another agency. Also arrested was Lea Fox, 43, of Grannis by an officer with the Arkansas Parks on a charge of Public Intoxication and on a Body Attachment and a Felony Failure to Appear Warrant.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 33 near Vandervoort in reference to a physical domestic disturbance leading to the arrest of Dessie Evans, 42, of Vandervoort on charges of Disorderly Conduct and Public Intoxication.

Deputies responded to a report of a dog bite.

July 2, 2023

Susan Dollarhyde, 65, of Mena was arrested on a Failure to Appear Warrant.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Venable Lane near Mena in ref- erence to a stolen vehicle.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 626 near Mena in reference to a vehicle window possibly being shot out.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked 4 vehicle accidents this week.

Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 51 Incarcerated Inmates with 18 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

July 3, 2023

Deputies responded to a report of sexual assault.

Deputies responded to a report of a stolen firearm.

Jazzmyn Hoskin, 26, of Mena was arrested by an officer with the Arkansas State Police on a warrant for Theft of Property.

July 4, 2023

Floyd Frederick, 49, of Hatfield was arrested on a warrant for Failure to Comply with an Order of the Court.

Deputies responded to a report of a physical altercation on Polk 44 near Mena. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Deputies responded to a report of a UTV accident on Polk 25 near Hatfield.

July 5, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Lee Lane near Mena in reference to a Verbal Domestic Dispute.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to a sexual assault.

July 6, 2023

Abram Abernathy, 26, of Mena was arrested on charges of Breaking or Entering, Fleeing on Foot, Refusal to Submit to Arrest and Public Intoxication.

Monica Shores, 38, of Greeley, CO was arrested on a Felony Failure to Appear Warrant and a charge of 3rd Degree Assault on a Family or Household Member.

Tanner Milham, 25, of Mena was arrested on a charge of Violation of an Order of Protection.

A traffic stop led to the arrest of Katelyn Enyeart, 30, of Mena on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance and on a Parole Hold.

Deputies responded to a residence on Polk 64 near Shady in reference to a firearm that had been found.

Deputies responded to Polk 31 and Polk

91 in reference to a vehicle accident.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hwy 71 S near Cove in reference to a structure fire.

July 7, 2023

Nathan Brown, 42, of Mena was arrested by an officer with the Drug Task Force on a Felony 3rd Degree Domestic Battery Warrant, Misdemeanor Warrants for Fleeing on Foot and Contempt of Court and charges of Possession of Methamphetamine or Cocaine with Purpose to Deliver, Fleeing on Foot, Resisting Arrest, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Donna Cheshire, 56, of Mena was arrested by an officer with the Drug Task Force on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine or Cocaine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Tre Meyers, 21, of Wickes was arrested by an officer with the Grannis Police Department on charges of Disorderly Conduct and Drinking in Public.

Leslie James, 41, of Mena was arrested by an officer with the Drug Task Force on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine or Cocaine with Purpose to Deliver, Possession of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance with Purpose to Deliver and Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms.

July 8, 2023

Ilia Rushin, 42, of Cove was arrested by an officer with the State Parks on a Cruelty to Animals Warrant.

Archie Lehmann, 25, of Mena was arrested on a charge of Violation of an Order of Protection and a Misdemeanor Failure to Appear Warrant.

Deputies responded to a report of harassment.

July 9, 2023

Rodney McQueen, 45, of Mena was arrested on a Body Attachment Warrant.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on West Boundary near Mena in reference to a physical domestic disturbance leading to the arrest of Phoenix Davis, 24, of Mena on a charge of 3rd Degree Domestic Battery.

Deputies responded to a vehicle in the ditch on Hwy 8 West near Mena.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked 3 vehicle accidents this week.

Polk County Detention Center Jail

Population: 51 Incarcerated Inmates with 18 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.