A local woman was arrested early Thursday and charged with negligent homicide in connection with a traffic accident that killed a motorcyclist on April 20.
Laurie Lee Lowrey, 45, who lists an address of 1656 Blacksnake Road, was taken into custody following a traffic stop shortly before 7:30 a.m. on the warrant for negligent homicide, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
She was being held on a $40,000 bond and is set to appear Aug. 5 in Garland County District Court.
According to the arrest affidavit, shortly before 6:30 p.m. on April 20, Arkansas State Police Trooper First Class Josh Heckel responded to a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Albert Pike and Thornton Ferry Road and arrived to find that the operator of a 1997 Suzuki motorcycle, identified as Nicholas T. Rice, 26, of Hot Springs, had died from the impact.
Heckel notes that evidence at the scene indicated Rice was eastbound on Albert Pike approaching the intersection in the inside lane and Lowrey, driving a beige 1999 Oldsmobile 88, was westbound on Albert Pike in the turn lane attempting to turn left and head south on Thornton Ferry.
Lowrey initiated the turn and traveled into the eastbound lane where her vehicle hit Rice's motorcycle head on.
Lowrey stated that, when she started the turn, the traffic light pertaining to her was yellow, which was reportedly consistent with the statement of two witnesses at the scene.
Heckel noted he was familiar with the light patterns at that intersection and watched the light cycle through several times at the scene. He observed that when the light for the eastbound traffic was yellow that the light for the left-hand turn lane is yellow at the same time. He noted Lowrey failed to yield to the oncoming motorcycle.
While talking with Lowrey, Heckel reportedly noted that her pupils were dilated despite it being daylight and she appeared to be grinding and clinching her teeth, had eyelid tremors, could not stand still and would make spontaneous movements.
He also noted she had a white coating on her tongue and a white crust built up at the corners of her mouth, indicating she had dry mouth. She was also talkative with a fast speech pattern, and LifeNet personnel who checked her noted that her blood pressure and pulse rate were above the average range.
Heckel states his observations of Lowrey are consistent with someone under the influence of a central nervous system stimulant.
Lowrey submitted to blood and urine tests, which were sent to the state crime lab in Little Rock for analysis. The findings from the lab were later released which showed Lowrey tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine and amphetamines.
The affidavit also notes Lowrey did not have insurance on her vehicle at the time of the accident.
Based on the crime lab findings, a warrant for Lowrey's arrest on the negligent homicide charge was issued Monday.
On Thursday morning, Garland County sheriff's Deputy Matthew Wharton spotted a silver Dodge Durango driving through the parking lot of the sheriff's department on Ouachita and recognized the driver as Lowrey, and knew of a warrant for her arrest.
He made a traffic stop on the Durango on Murray Street at West Grand Avenue and took Lowrey into custody. During a search of her person, Wharton allegedly found a small plastic baggie containing about 1 gram of marijuana.
Lowrey was previously arrested Nov. 29, 2012, and charged with a felony count of hindering apprehension or prosecution after she allegedly lied about the whereabouts of a fugitive being sought by authorities that day, but the charge was withdrawn by prosecutors on Dec. 10, 2013.
The fugitive she was with, identified as Nicholas Matthew Lewondowski, 29, of Little Rock, was ultimately charged with residential burglary and other charges stemming from the manhunt for him.
According to reports, GCSD Deputy Phil Fisher was on routine patrol in the area of Pinehill Road when he spotted a man he recognized as Lewondowski and attempted to take him into custody on the burglary warrant.
The suspect, who was armed with a weapon, fled into the nearby woods prompting a manhunt involving sheriff 's deputies, Hot Springs Police, Arkansas State Police and Arkansas Department of Correction officers.
A witness reported seeing the suspect going into one of the condos at Hamilton Oaks Condos, 5380 Central Ave., but despite repeated attempts, deputies could not get anyone to answer the door even though they could hear movement inside.
The Garland County Tactical Response Team was brought in and secured the area, then made forced entry into the condo where they located Lowrey inside.
GCSD investigator Jennifer Tonseth asked Lowrey if anyone else was in the condo and she reportedly said no and claimed she was the only one there. TRT members searched further and located Lewondowski hiding in a hide-a-bed sofa and took him into custody without further incident.
Local on 07/25/2014