A Sallisaw man who was intentionally struck by a vehicle while walking on a sidewalk in Sallisaw on Tuesday remains in critical condition in a Fayetteville hospital on Wednesday and the couple responsible was behind bars according to Sequoyah County officials.
Daren Nibarger, 38, of Sallisaw reportedly yelled at the driver of a gold Buick Lasabre moments before he was struck near the intersection of Hickory and Cherokee near the Charlie’s Chicken Restaurant.
Officers were able to tie the the vehicle, which had an Arkansas license tag, to the suspects which led to the arrest of Precious Sutton, 22, and Kelton Chandler, 24.
Police say they located the vehicle in the Lake Tenkiller area about 1 a.m. Wednesday morning. The couple had recently move to an area north of Vian from northwest Arkansas.
Both suspects were transported to the Sequoyah County Detention Center where Chambers, who was driving the car, ware booked on assault and battery with a deadly weapon, leaving the scene of an accident in which there were injuries and child endangerment charges. The charge against Sutton was being an accessory in committing a felony.
Three children who were riding in the LaSabre at the time of the incident, aged ten months, two and five, were placed in the custody of a relative. The police report said Chandler and Sutton are the parents of the children.
Nibarger was airlifted to the Fayetteville hospital following the incident.
