Man charged with negligent homicide in fatal Miller County crash

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A crash in Miller County, Ark., that took the life of a Mineral Springs, Ark., woman during the holiday season last year has resulted in the arrest of a Texarkana, Texas, man.

Ralph Vernon Hendrix, 62, was allegedly twice the legal limit of .08 when he hit a 2007 Ford Ranger pickup from behind as he drove a 2002 Ford Explorer eastbound on Highway 67 in Miller County on Dec. 26 at 5:40 p.m., according to a probable cause affidavit. Jacque Tollet’s truck overturned and entered the westbound lane where she was struck by a 2016 Dodge Ram truck.

Tollett’s truck overturned a second time and she was ejected through the windshield. Tollett, 56, died at the scene.

Tollett had apparently slowed down in preparation for a left hand turn into the parking of the Boll Weevil liquor store near the 17.7 mile marker.

Members of the Arkansas State Police escorted Hendrix and the driver of the Dodge truck to Saint Michael’s Hospital in Texarkana. Samples of their blood were collected and sent to the state crime lab for analysis.

Hendrix’s sample allegedly showed a .16 blood alcohol level. He was arrested for negligent homicide, a class B felony, May 25. The offense is punishable by five to 20 years in prison.

Hendrix was released after posting a $25,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court in June.

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