A Benton man has been arrested and charged following a fatal ATV crash that occurred in Dallas County during a deer hunting trip in November, authorities said.
Jeremiah Oltmans, 51, of Benton, was arrested Dec. 17, 2025, and charged with negligent homicide and driving while intoxicated in connection with the death of Michael Robert “Mike” Woods, 51, of the Sardis community in Saline County. Woods was killed in the early morning hours of Nov. 22 after being ejected from a side-by-side utility vehicle during a rollover accident in Dallas County.
According to Dallas County Sheriff Mike Knoedl, the crash occurred around 2 a.m. while Woods and others were deer hunting in the area. Oltmans later admitted to investigators that he was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident.
Sgt. Jordan Ables of the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office reported arriving on scene to find the side-by-side lying on its passenger side with the engine still running. Woods, who had been riding in the front passenger seat, was pinned beneath the roll cage. Medics with Valor Ambulance, who arrived at 1:31 a.m., were performing CPR, but noted Woods’ eyes were fixed and dilated.
Witnesses told deputies that Oltmans lost control of the vehicle while turning, causing it to roll and land on Woods’ chest. Other passengers were able to partially lift the vehicle and place an ice chest underneath to relieve pressure. Woods’ 18-year-old son, Owen Woods, reportedly ran several miles to a nearby camp to call 911.
Ables noted in his report that Oltmans showed signs of alcohol impairment, including bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. He failed multiple field sobriety tests at the scene. A preliminary breath test indicated a blood alcohol concentration of 0.13. A subsequent test administered at the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office later registered a BAC of 0.108. Oltmans was initially arrested and later released from jail as the case was forwarded to the prosecutor for review.
Following several weeks of investigation, formal charges were filed, leading to Oltmans’ arrest this week. Oltmans is known in Saline County as a real estate agent and is active in the community.
In a statement released Nov. 26, Sheriff Knoedl described the incident as a tragedy that would leave a lasting impact on multiple families.
“Some close friends and family came down to deer hunt. Unfortunately, it will be a memory that will affect these families for the rest of their lives,” Knoedl said. “I share this sad story as a reminder to everyone who operates these off-road vehicles to do so with caution. This piece of machinery is equipped with seat belts for a reason; please use them. I’m begging everyone, please don’t drink and drive anything. Get a designated driver at all times to prevent these tragedies.”
Friends and family remembered Woods — known affectionately as “Mighty Mike” — as a devoted family man. His obituary from Dial and Dudley Funeral Home in Bryant described him as “a profoundly selfless man” and “the unwavering rock of his family.”
The case remains pending in Dallas County.
