Batesville, Ark. — September 7, 2025
A Batesville man faces felony and misdemeanor charges following a hit-and-run incident that left a cyclist seriously injured on September 4, 2025. Francisco Ignacio Cruz, 39, was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injuries, a Class B felony, and driving with no driver’s license, an unclassified misdemeanor, according to the Batesville Police Department (BPD).
Incident Details
On September 4, 2025, at approximately 2:50 a.m., BPD officers were dispatched to the intersection of E. Wycough Street and North Heights in Batesville in response to a report of a male cyclist struck by a vehicle. Sergeant Melissa Wilkey arrived and found the victim lying on the shoulder of the roadway, in extreme pain, with an electric e-bike showing visible damage in the middle of the street. The victim reported that he and a white single-cab truck with a white decal on the back glass were both stopped at the intersection. Noting no turn signal from the truck, the victim proceeded through the intersection, at which point the truck accelerated, struck him, and fled the scene.
Sergeant Wilkey observed that the victim sustained an open fracture to his lower left leg and a broken left foot. The victim was transported for medical treatment, though his current condition has not been released.
Corporal Miguel Romero, responding to the vehicle description and direction of travel provided by the victim, located a matching white single-cab truck at 590 W. Wycough Street. Romero made contact with Francisco Cruz, who confirmed he owned the vehicle and was the last person to drive it. Cruz admitted to being involved in the accident but claimed the cyclist struck the front of his truck, asserting the incident was not his fault.
Legal Charges and Background
A search through the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) revealed no record of a valid driver’s license or identification for Cruz. Previous citations found in the ACIC database indicate Cruz has been cited for no driver’s license, reckless driving, and failure to obey a stop sign in prior incidents, though specific dates and outcomes were not disclosed in the affidavit.
Under Arkansas Code § 27-53-101(a)(2)(A)(B)(b)(1)(2)(3)(d), leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injuries is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 7 years in prison and fines up to $15,000 if convicted. Arkansas Code § 27-16-602(a) classifies driving without a valid driver’s license as an unclassified misdemeanor, which may result in fines up to $500. Cruz is currently in custody at the Independence County Detention Center, with bond information not specified in the affidavit. His next court date has not been publicly released as of September 7, 2025.
