A Gassville woman, 25 year old Elizabeth A. Taylor, was injured early this morning when she was struck by a vehicle at an accident scene on Cranfield Road.  At approximately 2:15 AM, the Sheriff’s Office was notified of a traffic accident with a person injured near 714 Cranfield Road. 

     Sheriff’s Sergeant Michael Holland and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene.   On arrival, Sergeant Holland learned that the driver of the vehicle that struck Ms. Taylor had fled from the scene on foot, but may have been chased away from the scene by others present.  It was later determined that other persons present when the accident occurred had also left the scene. 

     The investigation revealed that a 2000 Chevrolet SK1, driven by 45 year old Eric Henley of Mountain Home, had first slid into the ditch on Cranfield Road.  A second vehicle, a 2006 Chevrolet IMT driven by 22 year old Whitney Jones of Norfork, stopped to render aid to the first vehicle.  Ms. Taylor had been a passenger in the Jones vehicle.  A short time later, a third vehicle, a 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass driven by 21 year old Austin Hamby of Gassville, came South bound on Cranfield Road striking the Jones vehicle, knocking it into the Henley vehicle, and also striking the pedestrian, Elizabeth Taylor. 

     Elizabeth Taylor was transported by ambulance to Baxter Regional Medical Center for treatment of her injuries.

     Austin D. Hamby of Gassville was charged initially with Driving While Intoxicated and Careless Driving.  He was transported to the Detention Center and later released after posting bond.  He will appear in District Court on February 24^th.

     Eric J. Henley of Mountain Home was charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident.  He was transported to the Detention Center and later released after posting bond.  He will appear in District Court on February 24^th.

     The investigation is continuing, with additional charges possible.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff