Police suspect driver who killed teen was intoxicated at the time
Posted on Thursday, October 2, 2008
Arkansas State Police investigators say they believe 47-year-old Richard Meinke was intoxicated when he drove the wrong way down Interstate 540 Tuesday afternoon. The Cabot man collided head-on with another vehicle, killing the driver at the scene.
“ He’s been charged for driving while intoxicated, ” Arkansas State Police Sgt. Gabe Weaver said. “ Right now, we’re waiting on blood test results from the Arkansas State Crime Lab, which usually takes a few weeks. ”
Meinke was driving a 2007 Toyota Tundra northbound in the inside southbound lane, when he collided headon with a southbound 2002 Honda Civic, driven by 19-year-old Bradley D. Norris, also of Cabot. Norris died at the scene.
Meinke was airlifted by Air Evac to Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville. He was in fair condition as of 5 p. m. Wednesday.
“ I talked to him earlier, and he seemed OK, ” Weaver said of Meinke’s condition. “ He may be released at any time. ”
The accident happened 11 miles south of West Fork at about 1: 40 p. m., according to the accident report.
Weaver said Arkansas State Police received at least one witness report related to Meinke’s driving.
“ There are witnesses that saw him traveling from the Chester exit, northbound to where the accident occurred, ” he said. “ That motorist was interviewed today. ”
Agencies that responded to the accident included Boston Mountain and West Fork firefighters, sheriff’s deputies from Crawford and Washington counties, Air Evac, Arkansas State Police, Central Emergency Medical Service and Washington County Emergency Management.
Weaver said additional charges against Meinke are possible and will be determined by the prosecutor’s office.
Those with any information regarding the accident can contact state police at 751-6663.
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