Man pushing motorcycle fatally hit by officer’s patrol car

FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) – Authorities are investigating after a Fort Smith police officer's patrol car fatally hit a man pushing a motorcycle on a state highway early Sunday.

A preliminary report from the Arkansas State Police says Jonathan Logston of Heavener, Oklahoma, was struck around 3:30 a.m.

Police say Officer Jarrod Taylor was driving his patrol SUV on Highway 271 while responding to a call for backup. Logston was pushing a motorcycle north in the southbound lane when Taylor's vehicle collided with Logston.

The state police report says Logston's motorcycle wasn't running and didn't have its lights on. Taylor told investigators he didn't see Logston in the road.

A Fort Smith police spokesman says the officer's headlights were on, but his blue emergency lights were not. He also says evidence suggests the officer attempted an evasive maneuver, but was unsuccessful.