JONESBORO, Ark. — A Craighead County man has been charged with aggravated assault and reckless driving following an incident in which he allegedly pursued another driver and intentionally struck their vehicle, leading to a crash.
Calvin Wayne Simmons is accused of chasing the driver after an argument before ramming the vehicle from behind. Both vehicles went off the road near County Roads 191 and 192, according to a probable cause affidavit. Simmons faces charges of aggravated assault on a family or household member, a Class D felony, and reckless driving, a Class C misdemeanor. A judge set his bond at $25,000 cash or surety.
Deputies with the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash scene on Sept. 8. They found a green Dodge Dakota truck with significant front-end damage backed into a field and a silver passenger car with rear-end damage in a ditch. Emergency medical responders were treating the other driver, who suffered unspecified injuries.
When deputies arrived, they saw Simmons walking toward them, the affidavit states. After being placed in handcuffs, Simmons reportedly told deputies, “I was trying to catch her” and “I hit her.”
The alleged victim told authorities that an argument had occurred before both left a residence. Simmons reportedly began following the other driver’s vehicle, though it is unclear how the chase began. According to the affidavit, the victim believed Simmons had lost sight of the vehicle and slowed down while approaching a semi-truck and trailer on County Road 191. Simmons then struck the car from behind, investigators said.
A semi-truck driver witnessed the incident and told deputies that the silver car had been visible in their rearview mirror before suddenly disappearing off the roadway. Shortly after, the driver saw the damaged truck and two individuals arguing near the crash site.
Simmons was arrested, and a judge found probable cause to charge him. He is required to have no contact with the alleged victim as part of his pretrial release conditions.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.