Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Stolen car wrecks on I-30, driver arrested

A single vehicle accident on Interstate 30 lead to the arrest of the driver after police were notified that the vehicle was stolen.

According to Arkansas State Police Cpl. Mark Batson, Joseph Owen, 24, of 5861 Columbia 1, Magnolia, was traveling east on I-30 near the Gurdon exit Friday morning when the accident occurred. Batson said Owen was attempting to pass other vehicles when he over corrected, lost control and flipped his vehicle at least once through the median.

The 2003 Honda Accord came to a rest near the westbound lanes leaving a trail of debris in the median.

An ambulance was called for Owen who suffered minor injuries as a result of the accident. He was transported to Baptist Health Medical Center  Arkadelphia where he was treated and released, Batson said.

After being released from the hospital, Owen returned to Palmers Automotive Repair in Gurdon to await a ride from a friend. Palmers also towed the vehicle Owen was driving from the scene of the accident.

Police were not notified by the Columbia County Sheriffs Department that the vehicle Owen had been driving was stolen until after his release from the hospital. Batson said by the time authorities arrived at Palmers to look for him, he was gone.

A search of the area followed, and Batson soon arrested Owen near the intersection of Sticky and Airport roads in Gurdon. He was later extradited to Columbia County.