Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Warrant issued for Deaton

A warrant was issued for a Gurdon man on Tuesday after he was involved in a hit and run accident.

At approximately 9:01 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11, William Shane Smith, 23, of Gurdon was stopped at the red light at the intersection of West Pine and W.P. Malone Drive in Arkadelphia, when Coby Lee Deaton, 22, of 210 South 8th Street in Gurdon, allegedly intentionally rear-ended Smith knocking him into the intersection.

Deaton then exited his vehicle to confront Smith. The passenger with Deaton pulled him back into the vehicle and Deaton backed up and headed westbound on Interstate 30.

Smith saw Arkadelphia Police Officer Chris Harper in a nearby parking lot. Smith drove his vehicle to Harper and asked if he had seen what just happened. Shortly afterwards several persons arrived to give their accounts as to what they saw.

Harper wrote the accident up as a hit and run and stated Deaton intentionally rear ended Smith.

Deaton's motive is still unknown at this time.

No major damage was reported to Smith's vehicle however, he is suffering from a severe case of whip lash.

Deaton has not been seen since the time of the accident.