Two charged with DWI following separate crashes | Crime

Two men were hospitalized and ticketed for DWI following separate wrecks Sunday afternoon in Baxter County.

The first crash happened at 12:55 p.m. on State Highway 5 North at Simple Man’s.

According to Trooper Jason C. Baethke of the Arkansas State Police, 54-year-old Steve Deese of Mountain Home was southbound when his 1999 Ford Windstar ran off the road.

The van traveled approximately 68 feet on the grass shoulder before hitting a culvert, Baethke reported.

Deese was taken by ambulance to Black River Medical Center (BRMC) with undisclosed injuries.  He was also charged with driving while intoxicated and careless and prohibited driving.

Less than two hours later Trooper Baethke responded to another crash on State Highway 202, just south of Highway 5 North.

According to the crash report, at 2:45 p.m. Jack Wright, 63, of Oakland was traveling east on Highway 202 when his 1992 Jeep Laredo ran off the right side of the road.  The Jeep traveled 236 feet, striking two telephone poles, before overturning.

Like Deese, Wright was also taken to BRMC by ambulance.  He was also charged with DWI and careless and prohibited driving.