A 56-year-old Tulsa woman faced a jury trial on Wednesday i Sebastian County Circuit Court and was given a 20-year sentence for being a felon in possession of firearm.
The October 22, 2020 arrest of Rhonda Janel Walker initially carried charges of driving while intoxicated, refusing to submit to a chemical test, possession of controlled substance, and two counts of carrying a weapon. The arrest came after a traffic accident on North O Street that resulted in the death of Khoana Lee, 70, of Fort Smith.
Police say on the afternoon of October 22 2020 Walker was involved in an accident where the Chevrolet Camaro she was driving ran into the rear of a 2011 Toyota Sienna in the 3100 block of North O Street in Fort Smith.
The Sienna was forced up on a curb and struck Lee, who was bicycling along the roadway. The Sienna came to rest on top of the cyclist who was later life-flighted to UAMS in Little Rock where he succumbed to his injuries.
The driver of the Sienna. 64-ear-old Thanh Loan Thi Nguyen of Fort Smith, was also injured in the accident.
Court record shows Walker was charged with negligent homicide after Lee passed away. In court on Wednesday she was facing that charge as well as the possession of controlled substance and possession of firearm counts. She was also charged as a habitual offender.
The jury returned a guilty verdict on the possession of firearm by a felon charge and recommended 20 years. Judge Gunner Delay accepted the recommendation and sentenced Walker to the 240 month sentence.
Walker, who initially failed to appear on the charges, was arrested May 7 2021 and has been in the Sebastian County Adult Detention Center since that time. She was given credit for time served.
Walker awaits assessment and assignment to the Arkansas Department of Corrections at the SCADC,
