Prosecutor: Garfield man arrested in connection with Benton County crash that killed minor

GARFIELD, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A Garfield man faces multiple charges in connection with a fatal crash that killed a minor on July 27.

Gregory Payne, 46, was arrested on July 27 and is facing driving while intoxicated (third offense), negligent homicide, failure to stop after an accident, driving on a suspended license, possessing an open container while operating a vehicle, and refusal to submit to a chemical test charges, according to Benton County Prosecutor Joshua Robinson.

A probable cause affidavit said around 11:42 a.m. on July 27, deputies with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a vehicle vs. motorbike crash at the intersection of Main Street and Oak Street in Garfield.

A witness told deputies he was in his driveway when he saw two motorbikes drive by his home and then heard a crash.

He went to the scene and saw a man standing over the minor’s body, the affidavit said. Payne reportedly smelled of alcohol and appeared to be intoxicated. The witness noticed open liquor bottles in Payne’s vehicle.

The witness put the minor in Payne’s truck and called 911 before driving to the fire station, according to the affidavit.

The other rider of the two motorbikes, also a minor, was unharmed.

The unharmed minor told BCSO that he and the minor were riding motorbikes when the minor drove left of center and was struck head-on by a pickup truck after it came around a curve.

The unharmed minor identified Payne as the driver of the pickup.

A deputy found Payne sitting in his driveway and said he left the scene of the crash to check on his son, according to the document.

The affidavit said Payne had glassed over and watery eyes, monotone and lethargic speech and had a strong odor of intoxicants.

Payne allegedly refused to complete any field sobriety tests, however, deputies received a warrant for a blood sample from Payne.

A check of Payne’s criminal history showed at least five DWI convictions since 2004. He had also been arrested 14 previous times since 1997.

Payne is being held in the Benton County Detention Center on a $300,000 bond.

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