13-year-old on bike killed by car

Neighbors say a 13-year-old hit and killed by a car while riding his bicycle didn't have to die.

The accident happened in Lonoke County Saturday evening. Now, neighbors are taking up donations for the funeral, and asking law enforcement to do more about cars speeding in the area.

Lonoke County Detectives are still trying to determine if 13-year-old Jacob Allen swerved out in front of the driver or if the driver drifted over toward Allen's bike and hit him.

William Blackmore lives right next door to the Allen's and describes Jacob as a young kid who just loved life. "He was just a young, energetic, 13-year-old boy who would do just about anything for you."

Allen was struck on a rural road about 6 miles outside the town of Lonoke. Blackmore says speed and visibility is a huge factor in Allen's death. "The car came out of nowhere, and when drivers come through here they've got the hammers down on the pedal."

Saturday evening around 7 o'clock Lonoke County Sheriff's deputies found Allen unresponsive at the corner of Joyner Loop and Mt. Tabor Road.

Detective Matt Edwards says it's not uncommon for children to play in that area. "There are a lot of children who live out there. You see kids riding bikes on Joyner Loop and Mt. Tabor once in awhile."

Det. Edwards says it's also a highly travelled road for cars. "Just like any other road in the county we do have problems with speeding."

This isn't the first time a car has hit someone in the area. Blackmore and his neighbors say speeding drivers have been a problem for a long time. "There's always going to be some idiot who tries to get there faster."

Det. Edwards says deputies respond to situations when they can but it's hard to prevent drivers from speeding on country roads. "We don't have a whole lot of deputies on the road, maybe 4 or 5 at a time, and they're spread out over 800 square miles."

That's why neighbors want the speed limit dropped from 45mph to 35mph to hopefully prevent another family from grieving a child hit by a car. Blackmore also says the county needs to clear some trees at intersections to improve visibility.

Detectives have ruled out alcohol as a factor in the crash. So far no charges have been filed. Detectives say Allen was not wearing a helmet, but due to the extent of his injuries, it probably would not have mattered. Allen's funeral is set for Thursday.