Indiana man pleads guilty to negligent homicide in Fort Smith fatal crash case
FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — An Indiana man has pleaded guilty to a negligent homicide charge in connection with a fatal crash last year in Fort Smith that left a motorcyclist dead, according to court documents. Christopher Hamilton, 46, of West Lafayette, Indiana, entered his guilty plea to one count of negligent homicide on June 4. He previously faced a refusal to submit to a chemical test charge, but it was nolle prossed, meaning prosecutors were not willing to prosecute him on that charge. Hamilton was sentenced to a six-year suspended prison term and ordered to pay a $2,500 fine. A probable cause affidavit said that on April 23, 2025, officers with the Fort Smith Police Department responded to a fatal vehicle collision. Hamilton, who was driving a 2020 Toyota Camry, hit a motorcycle, driven by Landin Young, 27, according to the affidavit. The Midland Bridge, located between Van Buren and Fort Smith, was "clearly marked" as a two-lane bridge at the time of the crash, the affidavit said. An officer who responded to the scene spoke with Hamilton, who said he forgot the bridge was two-way traffic. A witness told the officer that they saw Hamilton pass several vehicles before hitting Young. Data retrieved from the scene showed Hamilton was driving nearly 58 mph, where the speed limit was posted at 40 mph. Hamilton was arrested in October 2025.
Leave a Comment
Popular News
Recent News
Weather
49%
3 MPH
-
23° June 9, 2026 -
29° June 9, 2026
