A man reported to have admitted being distracted by changing the music selection on his cellphone when he crossed the centerline and struck another vehicle, killing its driver, appeared in Baxter County Circuit Court Monday.
The accident happened on State Highway 5 North May 19, 2022.
Mountain Home attorney Ben Burnett represents 31-year-old Ethan Hutchinson of Bull Shoals. Burnett told the court the defense was having “a problem with a blood draw” taken in connection with the accident and needed to continue the case so the problem could be addressed.
The case was continued until April 15.
According to the accident report, Hutchinson was driving a 2009 Chevrolet pickup truck northbound when it crossed the center line and crashed into a white 2011 GMC pickup being driven by then 60-year-old John Wilson.
Wilson died in the accident. Hutchinson and a passenger in Wilson’s truck were taken to Baxter Health for treatment of their injuries.
A search warrant was obtained in order to check the contents of Hutchinson’s phone. It showed that there was a song paused on the Spotify App, consistent with Hutchinson changing his music selection. No other activity showed on the device at the time of the crash.
A blood sample was obtained from Hutchinson and sent to the Arkansas Crime Laboratory. According to the probable cause affidavit, Nordiazepam, a Schedule IV narcotic was present in his system.
The drug is used primarily for the treatment of anxiety.
Hutchinson was charged with negligent homicide, use of wireless telecommunications when driving and careless driving.
Despite the seriousness of the crime, Hutchinson was not required to post a bond and was freed on his own recognizance.
Hutchinson was also not formally booked into the jail. It was reported an Arkansas State Trooper delivered the arrest warrant to Hutchinson’s home in Bull Shoals where it was served.
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