The Pine Bluff Police Department have arrested a woman in connection with a fatal traffic accident that occurred at Blake Street and Miramar Drive on December 20.
30-year-old Eterra Pittman was taken into custody after she was found in the drivers seat of on of the cars in the accident. 38-year-old Katiedra Harris was pronounced deceased at the scene by Deputy Coroner April Davis.
Detective Chris Wieland stated in a probable cause affidavit that the accident at Blake and Mirimar was the second accident Pittman had been involved in over a span of a few minutes. At approximately 10:30 p.m.,
Officers were sent to the area of the Martha Mitchell Expressway and Blake Street at approximately 10:30 p.m. following the report of an accident. Officers arrived at the intersection, and an Infinity G37 that had been damaged.
The driver of the Infinity said he was hit by a Ford Mustang that had ran the red light on Blake Street as he was traveling on Martha Mitchell Expressway, and noted that the Mustang was headed south on Blake at a high rate of speed, passing numerous cars that were stopped at the light.
Officers were then dispatached at 10:31 p.m. to the second accident, and found Pittman who had been driving the Mustang.
Officers reported an odor of intoxicants from Pittman as she was transported to Jefferson Regional for medical treatment.
37-year-old Frederick Griffin said he was traveling north on Camden Road coming around the curve when his vehicle when he struck head-on by the Mustang driven by Pittman.
Detective Wieland was able to obtain a search warrant for a blood draw on Pittman that was signed by Judge Phillip Green, and attempted to serve that warrant for a blood draw on Pittman at approximately 3:25 a.m. Wieland stated Pittman became aggressive and upset, and said she wasn’t going to allow anyone to take her blood when he attempted to serve the warrant.
Pittman was moved to another room, where she became combative with hospital staff, kicking a nurse in the left hand, causing minor injuries.
Hospital staff was able to successfully complete the blood draw which has been sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for analysis.
Detective Wieland and Detective Natalie McCool attempted to interview Pittman on December 23 at the Pine Bluff Police Department where Pittman requested an attorney after being read her rights.
Jefferson County District Judge Kim Bridgforth ruled that prosecutors have probable cause to charge Pittman with felony Negligent Homicide, and set a $50,00 bond for her release. Pittman was also charged with DWI, driving on the wrong side of the road, driving with a suspended drivers license, no proof of insurance, leaving the scene of an accident, disregarding a red light, and failure to appear.
Harris’ death is the 28th reported homicide in the City of Pine Bluff in 2019.
