Prairie Grove woman accused of hitting child with her vehicle pleads not guilty

PRAIRIE GROVE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A Prairie Grove woman accused of hitting a child biking to school with her vehicle and then driving away has pleaded not guilty, according to court documents.

Amber Dexter, 36, was arrested on August 28 on leaving the scene of an injury accident and possession of a controlled substance charges.

Prairie Grove police said a 9-year-old girl, who was a Prairie Grove Middle School student, was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Cole Drive and Viney Grove Road around 7:38 a.m. on August 28.

The driver reportedly left the scene but officials were able to locate the vehicle when it eventually stopped at the Flash Market on W Buchanan Street. Authorities interviewed Dexter and arrested her.

The child was evaluated by Central EMS and released with minor injuries.

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This is the second incident to happen at the same intersection this year.

In March , a high school student hit a child on a bike with their car as the child was crossing the crosswalk. PGPD said the child was "shocked and surprised." No citations were issued.

After the second incident, the Prairie Grove School District said they planned to add new safety protocols for students using the crosswalks.

"Effective immediately, all students riding bikes or scooters must dismount and walk across the crosswalks. We have already met with all bike and scooter riders to communicate this new rule," the district said.

Dexter is currently free on a $10,000 bond and her trial date has been set for November 12.