James Ward, who was a candidate for Saline County sheriff in the recent general election, was issued a citation this weekend alleging that Ward did not have insurance coverage when he was involved in a two-vehicle accident on Sept. 13.Ward, 32, of Alexander was defeated by sheriff’s Sgt. Bruce Pennington in the Nov. 4 general election.
Deputy David Blevins said he tried to contact Ward on Saturday via telephone to advise Ward of the citation “and to have (Ward) meet me so he could be cited with the charges.”
The sheriff’s report said an unidentified woman answered the phone and said she was Ward’s answering service. Blevins said he told the woman to have Ward call the Saline County Sheriff’s Office as soon as possible.
“After approximately four hours of not hearing from Ward, I went to his residence,” Blevins said. “Ward was asked to step outside so his children did not have to see or hear what was going on. I told Ward, ‘I hate to do this, but I have to cite you.’”
Ward reportedly replied, “Still being political.” Blevins said he told Ward there was nothing political about the citation and that he was trying to prevent Ward from having felony warrants issued against him.
Blevins said that after filling out the citation and assigning a court date, Ward asked if he had to sign the citation. Blevins reportedly replied, “I’ll just take you to jail if you don’t.”
Ward reportedly signed the citation and asked, “Do you have a good attorney?”
Blevins made reference to Prosecuting Attorney Ken Casady, but Ward said he was talking about a civil attorney.
“I told Ward that there was nothing civil about what was being done,” Blevins said. “[Ward] said, ‘Anyone can be sued civilly anytime, anywhere, and it all comes down to is who has the most money.”
Blevins said he reminded Ward of his court date and left the residence.
As of press time today, Ward had not returned messages asking for comments.
According to a Sept. 13 sheriff’s report, Ward was northbound in the 16000 block of Vimy Ridge Road after 5 p.m. when his vehicle slid on wet pavement. The report said Ward’s vehicle struck a vehicle driven by Norman Lehman, 46, of Alexander, who was southbound on Vimy Ridge Road. Lehman reportedly was treated and released from Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton.
The report did not acknowledge speeding or other traffic violations, but found Ward at fault for the accident. Blevins said that during the investigation at the accident scene, Ward handed him an insurance card that showed to be valid through State Farm Insurance.
In a Nov. 22 sheriff’s report, Blevins said, “Within a week of the accident, it was brought to my attention that James Ward had no insurance at the time of the accident. With the help of the Arkansas Insurance Commission Criminal Investigation Division, it was found in fact that Ward did not have any insurance through State Farm Insurance at the time of the accident and that Ward knew about it.”
On Nov. 21, Blevins said he, Casady, Pennington, Arkansas Insurance Commission Investigator Pat O’Kelly and commission director met to discuss Ward’s case.
“During the course of the meeting, felony charges were talked about,” the report said. “Everyone in the room was in agreement in trying to avoid felony charges filed against Ward. After discussing the options, everyone agreed to have Ward charged with misdemeanor charges of no liability insurance and driving left of center.”
Ward, a Republican, campaigned for sheriff since Aug. 22, 2007, seeking to succeed incumbent Phil Mask, who has been sheriff for eight years. Mask, a Republican, decided not to run for a fifth term. Pennington, a Democrat, will assume office on Jan. 1, 2009.
Casady also is a Republican.
Ward was a comfortable winner over sheriff’s patrol Sgt. Tim Dudderar in the May 20 primary election with 64 percent of the votes against his Republican opponent. He lost to Pennington by 1,101 votes.
Ward’s court date is 9 a.m. Jan. 28, 2009, in Benton District Court, 1605 Edison Ave.
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