Officers said Jessie Wooten, 20, of Fort Smith, Ark., collided with another vehicle on the Oklahoma side of the Arkansas River bridge at 6 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of the Garrison Avenue Bridge.
Wooten was driving a Hyundai sports utility vehicle at a high rate of speed, weaving in and out of traffic, and struck a red Ford truck from behind. Police said the impact caused the Ford truck onto the concrete barrier of the bridge were it stopped.
Wooten fled the accident scene on foot and jumped from the bridge which put him in Fort Smith City limits.
Additional officers arrived in the area and watched Wooten jump from the bridge onto the ground below near Frisco Station. Wooten was apprehended by officers behind Frisco Station, where he broke several windows. Wooten was transported to Sparks Regional Medical Center in Fort Smith. for injuries he received jumping from the bridge and landing on the concrete about 30 foot below. On Thursday authorities said Wooten remains in the hospital with internal injuries.
Wooten was arrested for public intoxication and criminal mischief by the Fort Smith Police Department.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol is conducting an investigation into the traffic collision, which could result in additional charges.
Authorities said when Wooten is released from the hospital he will be taken to the Sebastian County Detention Center in Fort Smith.
