Little Rock, AR – A Little Rock man will face first-degree murder and felony fleeing charges following a fatal wrong-way crash. The incident occurred early Thursday morning on Interstate 430, near Colonel Glenn Road. Anthony B. Smith, 24, allegedly fled from police at speeds reaching 125 mph before colliding head-on with Clifford James Griffin, 27, of Maumelle. Griffin, driving a Jeep southbound, was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the Arkansas State Police, Smith evaded law enforcement for several miles. Officers had pursued him after he sped through a construction zone. His BMW swerved into Griffin’s lane, resulting in a fatal crash that sent both vehicles into a tree line and sparked a fire.
Smith was hospitalized with severe injuries and will be arrested upon release. The Benton Police Department, Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, and MEMS responded to the scene.
