Little Rock family mourns loved one killed by wrong-way driver

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A Little Rock family is mourning the loss of a son after he was hit and killed by a wrong-way driver in September.

Lisa Griffin’s oldest son, 27-year-old Clifford James Griffin, was killed by a driver going the wrong way.

According to Arkansas State Police, at approximately 2:46 a.m. on Sept. 19, the Benton Police Department requested assistance from Arkansas State Police because the suspect was fleeing east on Interstate 30 at a high rate of speed.

Authorities said Anthony B. Smith, 24, of Little Rock was driving the wrong way and fleeing from law enforcement at speeds exceeding 125 mph.

Officials said a trooper attempted to stop the suspect’s vehicle using tactical vehicle intervention, but the suspect evaded the maneuver, accelerating north on I-430 South.

ASP officials said Clifford Griffin, known as CJ by his family, was killed on I-430 near Colonel Glenn Road.

“I keep thinking about him lying there and I wasn’t there for him,” Lisa said. “I just wanted to be there for him.”

Smith was transported to a Little Rock hospital with non-life-threatening injuries sustained in the collision. Police said he was charged with first-degree murder and felony fleeing and is being held at the Pulaski County Detention Center.

Smith pleaded not guilty to both charges. His next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 6.

“The only justice that we can get out of this is God doing his part,” Pauly Griffin, CJ’s youngest brother, said.

CJ’s mother and brothers describe him as someone who never met a stranger and was filled with love.

“He really was starting to get on his own feet and grow his own wings and become his own person,” CJ’s younger brother Austin said.

The Griffins say CJ was a man who made many friends, shared many laughs, produced tons of memories and was someone they never imagined not having.

“You never know when you are going to get that last text or last call from your older brother,” Pauly said.

“His last text to me was ‘I love you Mama,'” Lisa said.

“The loss of this promising young man’s life is devastating,” Colonel Mike Hagar with ASP said in a release. “This tragedy is a direct result of the suspect’s reckless, selfish actions. The suspect terrorized an untold number of motorists who should be able to travel our roadways in peace.”

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