The Ft. Smith Police Department is searching for a black Ford Platinum or King Ranch four door truck in connection with a fatality hit and run accident that occurred on November 16, 2023 in the 5600 block of Rogers Avenue.
According to information from the FSPD, 21-year-old John Stephens of Fort Smith was killed in the two-vehicle accident which occurred in the 5600 block of Rogers Avenue at 11:43 p.m. Thursday night.
A passenger in the Stephens vehicle, 20-year-old Elizabeth Ladd, also of Fort Smith was injured and taken to Mercy Hospital after the crash.
According to information from a report filed with the Arkansas Department of Safety, Stephens and Ladd were in a 2011 Honda headed west on Rogers Avenue.
The report says the Ford pickup truck was headed eastbound on Rogers and started to make a left hand turn into a shopping Center parking lot. The Honda struck the truck on the passenger side and both occupants were thrown from the Honda.
The suspect vehicle fled from the scene east on Rogers Ave. The truck will have heavy damage on the passenger side of the vehicle.
The weather was clear and the road conditions were dry at the time of the accident according to the FSPD responding officer.
If you have any information regarding the hit and run accident, please contact the Ft. Smith Police Department at 479-709-5100.
