A Baxter County deputy avoided serious injury when his patrol car was struck by a wrong-way driver who is under investigation for impairment. The incident occurred in the early morning hours of July 23 on U.S. Highway 62/412, between Mountain Home and Gassville.
Deputy Brandon Cook, 29, reported that he was traveling westbound when he noticed two vehicles ahead of him suddenly split apart to avoid a third vehicle driving in the wrong direction. The Arkansas State Police (ASP) crash report states that Cook then saw headlights headed toward him and activated his emergency lights, but the approaching car continued on its path. He took evasive action, narrowly avoiding a head-on collision, though the wrong-way vehicle struck the passenger side of his patrol car.
The other driver, identified as 46-year-old Jason Eric Younger of Mountain Home, was taken to Baxter Health by ambulance for a possible injury, but police say he left the hospital against medical advice. According to the crash report, Younger appeared confused, disoriented, and possibly intoxicated, as observed by Deputy Cook at the scene.
While investigating the crash, an ASP trooper reportedly found a baggie containing a green leafy substance consistent with marijuana in the driver’s seat of Younger's vehicle. Younger was later located by Mountain Home police and brought to the Baxter County Detention Center, where he underwent field sobriety tests. The trooper noted that he exhibited multiple signs of impairment.
Younger refused to submit to a chemical test, prompting the trooper to obtain a search warrant for a blood draw. Younger was transported back to Baxter Health for the procedure, and the blood sample was submitted to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for toxicology testing. The results of that analysis are still pending.
Younger faces multiple charges, including driving while intoxicated (DWI) drugs, refusal to submit to a chemical test, possession of a controlled substance (marijuana), reckless driving, driving left of center, failure to wear a seatbelt, lack of insurance, and an equipment violation. He was released after posting a $2,945 bond.