UPDATE: NOVEMBER 4, 3:30 PM

The Baxter County Sheriff's Office has no additional information to report or release at this point of the investigation. Dozens of tips have been called in so far and Investigators continue to process each of these tips. 

A reward fund has been established by a group of private citizens for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible. The reward fund to date is now at $1,000.

We encourage the public to report any information or suspicious circumstances to Sheriff's Investigators. Information may also be left on the Sheriff's Anonymous Tip line (870)424-4636 (INFO)

Sheriff John Montgomery 

     The Sheriff’s Office is investigating a felony hit and run accident that has resulted in the death of a rural Mountain Home man who was riding a bicycle. At approximately 3:51 AM this morning, the man’s wife reported her husband to be overdue and missing since leaving their residence at approximately 10:00 PM Monday evening.  She provided deputies with some of the routes her husband normally took when riding his bicycle.

     At approximately 4:13 AM, Sheriff’s Deputy Craig Gates found the missing man on the Old Military Road (Baxter CR 55) near its intersection with Baxter CR 69.  The man had been struck by a motor vehicle and was unresponsive.  Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene, but the man was found to be deceased.

    The Criminal Investigation Division responded to process the crime scene and initiate an investigation for a felony leaving the scene of an accident crime.  The investigation has revealed that the man was riding his bicycle heading East in the East bound lane of Old Military Road.  The driver of an unknown vehicle was going West bound on Old Military Road.  The driver went across the center of the roadway in a curve and struck the bicyclist head-on.   The man was ejected from the bicycle. The driver of the vehicle dragged the bicycle down the roadway and through the ditch for approximately 90 feet from the believed point of impact before the bicycle became dislodged and the vehicle re-entered the roadway.  The driver did not stop or notify authorities and fled from the scene.  Investigators believe the incident occurred between 10:45 PM and 11:30 PM.

     The County Coroner’s Office also responded to take possession of the body of the deceased.  The deceased was identified as 63 year old DOUGLAS A. FOREMAN of rural Mountain Home. 

     The investigation is ongoing, but at this time neither a suspect nor a suspect vehicle have been developed.  The Sheriff’s Office is asking for assistance from the public in identifying and locating the vehicle and driver involved.  Anyone with information concerning this hit and run fatality is urged to contact the Criminal Investigation Division of the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office or anonymous tips or information may be left on the Sheriff’s Office tip line at (870) 424-4636.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff