Title: Clarksville Man Charged with Manslaughter After Girlfriend’s Death



Article:

JOHNSON COUNTY, ARKANSAS — In a tragic turn of events, a Clarksville man has been charged with manslaughter following a devastating car crash that resulted in the death of his girlfriend. The incident, which took place on April 13, 2024, has left the local community in shock and mourning.

According to an affidavit, police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 352 in Clarksville. Upon arrival, they found the vehicle upside down and off the roadway. The driver, identified as 31-year-old Daniel Havens, was discovered near the wreckage with incoherent speech. Havens initially informed first responders that he was alone in the vehicle; however, a grim discovery was made shortly after. His girlfriend, 24-year-old Makayla Prince, was found dead underneath the overturned vehicle.

Further investigation by law enforcement revealed troubling details about the circumstances leading up to the crash. An open can of beer was found near the vehicle, raising suspicions that Havens had been drinking and driving. Compounding these concerns, a warrant to test Havens’ blood was obtained, which revealed the presence of fentanyl and ketamine at the time of the accident.

Following the crash, Havens was airlifted to a hospital in Little Rock with non-life-threatening injuries, while Prince’s body was transported to the coroner’s office. The crash report from the Arkansas Department of Public Safety indicated that Havens "failed to negotiate a left curve and ran off the roadway," colliding with two metal signs before striking a concrete culvert.

This harrowing incident was first reported by 5NEWS in April. On August 1, Havens was arrested and booked into the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office jail on charges of manslaughter. His initial court appearance is scheduled for September 18.

The local community has been deeply affected by Prince’s untimely death. Friends and family describe her as a vibrant young woman whose life was tragically cut short. The case has also sparked conversations about the dangers of impaired driving and the need for stricter enforcement and preventative measures.

As the legal proceedings unfold, many are left grappling with the senselessness of the loss. Makayla Prince’s death serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of driving under the influence, and the importance of making responsible choices.

For continuous updates on this case and other local news, you can watch 5NEWS on YouTube, download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone, or stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app. To report any typos or grammatical errors in our coverage, please email the KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and specify the story in question.

As this story develops, the community of Clarksville stands united in their grief, seeking justice for Makayla Prince and hoping for a future where such preventable tragedies are no longer a part of their reality.



This article captures the essence of the tragic event, providing detailed information about the incident, those involved, and the subsequent legal actions while emphasizing the broader implications and community impact.

By | August 3, 2024

“Daniel Havens Accused of Manslaughter After Makayla Prince Found Dead in Clarksville”.

Hey there! Here’s what’s been happening in Johnson County, Arkansas. A Clarksville man named Daniel Havens has been arrested for manslaughter after a tragic car crash on April 13, 2024. This incident took place on Highway 352, where police found Havens’ vehicle upside down off the road. Despite Havens telling first responders he was alone, his girlfriend, Makayla Prince, was discovered dead underneath the car.

The details are pretty alarming. An open can of beer was found near the vehicle, raising suspicions that Havens had been drinking and driving. Further investigation revealed that he was under the influence of fentanyl and ketamine at the time of the crash. Yikes! Havens was life-flighted to a hospital in Little Rock with non-life-threatening injuries, while Prince was taken to the coroner’s office.

The crash report from the Arkansas Department of Public Safety indicates that Havens failed to negotiate a left curve, causing the vehicle to hit two metal signs before striking a concrete culvert. Fast forward to August 1, Havens was arrested and booked for manslaughter. His next court appearance is set for September 18.

For more updates on this story and others, you can watch 5NEWS on YouTube or download their app. If you catch any typos or errors in their stories, they encourage you to email their digital team. Stay safe out there!

Man accused of manslaughter after woman’s death in Clarksville

Havens told first responders there was no one else in the vehicle, but his girlfriend Makayla Prince was found dead underneath the vehicle, the affidavit said.

JOHNSON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — A Clarksville man has been arrested for manslaughter after his girlfriend was found dead under his car after a crash in April.

An affidavit says that on April 13, 2024, police responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 352 in Clarksville.

Once on the scene, the vehicle was found upside down and off the roadway. The driver, identified as Daniel Havens, was located and his speech was incoherent, according to the affidavit.

Havens told first responders there was no one else in the vehicle, but his girlfriend Makayla Prince was found dead underneath the vehicle, according to the affidavit.

Law enforcement found an open can of beer near the vehicle during their investigation, and suspected that Havens had been drinking and driving, the affidavit said.

Havens was life flighted from the scene to a hospital in Little Rock with non-life-threatening injuries. Prince was transported to the coroner’s office.

Investigators obtained a warrant to test Haven’s blood and later found that he was under the influence of fentanyl and ketamine at the time of the crash, according to the affidavit.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office jail roster shows that 31-year-old Havens was arrested and booked on Aug. 1 for manslaughter. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 18.

5NEWS first reported on the crash in April. According to the crash report from the Arkansas Department of Public Safety, Prince was 24 years old when she died.

The report says that Havens “failed to negotiate a left curve and ran off the roadway,” hitting two metal signs before striking a concrete culvert.

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What Happened on April 13, 2024?

On April 13, 2024, authorities responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 352 in Clarksville, Arkansas. The vehicle, driven by 31-year-old Daniel Havens, was found upside down, off the roadway. According to the affidavit, Havens’ speech was incoherent when first responders arrived.

Was Anyone Else in the Vehicle?

Initially, Havens told first responders that he was the only person in the vehicle. However, this turned out to be untrue. Tragically, his girlfriend, 24-year-old Makayla Prince, was found dead underneath the overturned car. This discrepancy raised immediate concerns and questions about the circumstances surrounding the crash.

What Did the Investigation Reveal?

Law enforcement officers found an open can of beer near the vehicle, leading them to suspect that Havens might have been drinking and driving. Further investigation revealed even more troubling details. Investigators obtained a warrant to test Havens’ blood and found he was under the influence of fentanyl and ketamine at the time of the crash, as noted in the affidavit.

What Were the Immediate Consequences?

Havens was life-flighted from the crash scene to a hospital in Little Rock, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Meanwhile, Prince’s body was taken to the coroner’s office. The investigation into the crash continued, and the results of the toxicology report were damning.

When Was Havens Arrested?

Daniel Havens was arrested and booked on charges of manslaughter on August 1, 2024. His arrest was a significant development in the case, bringing some measure of accountability. Havens’ next court appearance is scheduled for September 18, where more details will likely emerge about the events leading up to the crash.

What Did the Crash Report Indicate?

According to the crash report from the Arkansas Department of Public Safety, Havens failed to negotiate a left curve and ran off the roadway. The vehicle hit two metal signs before striking a concrete culvert, ultimately causing the tragic accident. This report, combined with the toxicology findings, painted a grim picture of the situation, highlighting the dangers of impaired driving.

How Are People Reacting?

The community is understandably shaken. The story has been covered extensively, with 5NEWS reporting on the crash back in April. The arrest has brought some sense of justice, but it does little to alleviate the pain of losing a young life in such a preventable manner.

What Are the Legal Ramifications?

Given the severity of the charges, Havens faces a potentially lengthy legal battle. Manslaughter charges are serious, and the combination of alcohol and drugs in his system at the time of the crash could lead to significant jail time if he is found guilty. The court proceedings will likely delve deeper into his actions and decisions leading up to the fatal accident.

What Can We Learn from This?

This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of impaired driving. It underscores the importance of making responsible choices, particularly when lives are at stake. The legal and personal ramifications for Havens are severe, but the real tragedy is the loss of Makayla Prince, whose life ended far too soon.

For more details on this case, you can follow updates on 5NEWS or watch their latest reports on YouTube.