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Arkansas State trooper resigns after attempted hit-and-run cover-up in Faulkner County

An Arkansas State Police trooper resigned June 7 and now faces felony hit and run charges after a crash that left a woman injured.

An Arkansas State Police trooper resigned June 7 and now faces felony hit and run charges after a crash that left a woman injured.

Trooper Clint Vaughan, 34, turned in his resignation a day after the crash.

The crash happened late Thursday night on Highway 65 north of Conway.

According to an affidavit obtained from the Faulkner County Prosecuting Attorney, police were dispatched to a reported hit and run at approximately 11:18 p.m. on Thursday night.

Police found a woman injured in her car, which had "significant damage" on its passenger side, and took the victim to the hospital, according to police.

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According to the affidavit, witnesses described the vehicle that left the scene as a white pickup truck that had sustained damage to its passenger side and was "throwing sparks as it left the scene."

Police found that truck about a mile away, noting that there had also been damage to the right side passenger wheel and axle.

As police were investigating the vehicle, a tow truck driver approached and told authorities that Vaughan had told him that someone had stolen his truck and to tow it back to Quitman, where Vaughan lives, according to the affidavit.

Early the next morning, officers found Vaughan at Quality Inn in Conway, which is a short walking distance from where police found his damaged vehicle that he claimed had been stolen.

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Vaughan confirmed he was traveling on Highway 65 the night of the hit and run, but said he thought he hit a curb and admitted to "consuming alcohol prior to the crash."

The former trooper now faces one count of 3rd-degree battery and one count of leaving the scene of an accident with injury, which is a felony.

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