A Garland County Sheriff's Department deputy has resigned after being cited for failing to report an accident involving his county-issued vehicle earlier this month, the department said.
Investigator Brandon Huckaba resigned Nov. 2 after his assigned vehicle was found wrecked and abandoned near the intersection of Oakgrove Road and Timberlake Drive earlier that morning. Under Sheriff Jason Lawrence said the county dispatch center was contacted at 5:25 a.m. and dispatched a patrol deputy to the abandoned vehicle at 6:16 a.m.
Lawrence said per department protocol, the Arkansas State Police was contacted after it was determined the vehicle belonged to the sheriff's department.
"The Arkansas State Police was dispatched at approximately 6:46 a.m. and arrived at 6:52 a.m. to begin the investigation," he said in an email. "After notification of the incident, our office began an investigation into possible policy violations. Before the investigation was complete, Mr. Huckaba resigned from the Garland County Sheriff's Department on Nov. 2."
Failing to report an accident and careless and prohibited driving citations were filed against Huckaba, 26, two days later in Garland County District Court. He's scheduled to appear Monday for his plea and arraignment, according to court records.
Lawrence said Huckaba had been with the department for five years and was assigned to the criminal investigation division. He was not on duty at the time of the incident, Lawrence said, adding that the vehicle was damaged beyond repair. Lawrence said an insurance adjuster estimated $23,000 to $28,000 in damage.
Lawrence said the vehicle was assigned to Huckaba, and that he was allowed to keep it at his home. According to court records, the vehicle struck a utility pole.
Local on 11/14/2018