A 63-year-old man accused of causing a fatal car crash last year in Miller County while under the influence of methamphetamine is scheduled to face a jury next month.
Forrest Rector Stewart Jr., of Ozan, Ark., is charged with negligent homicide in the Nov. 2 death of 24-year-old James Crowe.
Crowe was allegedly traveling south on Highway 67 at U.S. Highway 108 in Miller County when Stewart crossed the center line and hit him head on from the north at about 6:45 a.m., according to an arrest affidavit used to create the following account.
Crowe was pronounced dead at the scene.
Samples of Stewart's blood allegedly tested positively for methamphetamine.
He was arrested Feb. 7 and bail was set at $100,000 at an initial court appearance Feb. 9. Stewart's lawyer, Theodis Thompson Jr. of Little Rock, filed a motion to reduce Stewart's bond and Circuit Judge Kirk Johnson agreed to lower it to $75,000 at a hearing Feb. 20. Stewart posted a $75,000 bond the same day.
Stewart's case is scheduled for a pretrial hearing June 5 and for jury selection June 18. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Connie Mitchell is representing the state.
If convicted of felony negligent homicide, Stewart faces five to 20 years in an Arkansas prison and a fine up to $15,000.