Man pleads guilty, gets 27 years for driving truck through Barling restaurant, killing one

BARLING, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A man who crashed his truck into a Barling restaurant in November 2023, killing one person, pleaded guilty and was sentenced, according to court documents.

Larry Stevens, 66, was arrested on November 22, 2022 , shortly after crashing into the Blue Agave in Barling.

According to a crash report, Stevens was driving in the parking lot, failed to stop and drove through the north wall around 4:30 p.m.

Five people were hit by the vehicle, killing one person and injuring four others. Heather White, 48, was identified as the deceased victim, according to Arkansas State Police.

Sebastian County Prosecutor Daniel Shue announced on November 28, 2023, that Stevens would additionally be charged with negligent homicide for reportedly driving while intoxicated, resulting in the crash.

A probable cause affidavit said Stevens’ blood alcohol level was .180.

After initially pleading not guilty, Stevens changed his plea to guilty on June 28, two weeks before his trial was set to begin.

He was sentenced to 27 years in prison with an additional 13-year suspended sentence for negligent homicide and six counts of criminal mischief.

Jimmie Lowrey, the father of the woman killed in the crash, spoke with KNWA/FOX24 a few days after the incident about his daughter.

“I just know Heather is in a better place,” Lowrey said.

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