Little Rock police sees increase in pedestrian deaths

Little Rock, Arkansas – According to LRPD’s records, the deadliest year for pedestrians was 2020 with 33 fatal pedestrian accidents.

This year, Little Rock has had 26 fatal accidents so far and has already been the second deadliest year. “It does look like we are on pace to probably get close to matching it,” said Kyle Henson, LRPD’s hit-and-run investigator.

More than half of Little Rock’s pedestrian accidents have occurred in the Southwest part of the city, and according to LRPD, there are some reasons why this is. “The lack of crosswalks, the lack of sidewalks, the speed once you get south of Asher, and if you go through there it’s pretty dark,” explained Henson.

While LRPD said that they are not investigating any cases where a pedestrian was intentionally hit, they are looking into one incident. Some people were walking on a sidewalk in the Meadowcliff neighborhood when they got hit by a car. Two people were hit and there are serious injuries. Police are still investigating whether charges will be filed.

“We can’t say for a fact if the driver purposely hit these two people on the sidewalk,” said Henson. “What we did get from that scene is reckless driving is what caused him to go on the sidewalk and then hit these two people.”

According to Little Rock police, many accidents happen when a person tries to cross a street at night, and that is why they advised that one way to stay safe is to find and use a designated crosswalk.