Man to take plea in death case October 20

A Mountain Home man charged with negligent homicide after a motorcycle he was driving while under the influence crashed killing a female passenger was set to take a plea in his case October 6 but the attorney for 57-year-old Joe Allen Deen asked the court to move the plea entry to October 20 due to the fact his client is recovering from hip surgery.

Circuit Judge John Putman approved the continuance.

The fatal accident occurred in mid-August 2023 when Deen allegedly failed to negotiate a sharp left-hand curve on State Highway 341 and then lost control of his motorcycle after swerving to miss a large rock in the highway.

The motorcycle slid off the highway and struck a road sign. The female passenger riding on the back of the motorcycle was struck by the sign.

She was airlifted to a Springfield hospital where she died due to the injuries sustained in the crash.

Deen was taken to Baxter Health where a blood sample was taken. The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory analyzed the sample and determined that Deen had a blood alcohol level well above the legal limit.

In addition to negligent homicide, a Class B felony, Deen is also charged with DWI/first offense which is a misdemeanor.
He has been free on $10,000 bond.

Deen is represented by Mountain Home attorney Ben Burnett.

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