LAVACA, AR – A woman faces serious charges after allegedly striking her estranged husband with her car during an argument at a rural Arkansas residence, leaving him hospitalized in critical condition.
Deputies with the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office responded to an urgent 911 call on Sunday evening along White Lane, approximately 150 miles northwest of Little Rock. First responders arrived to find 34-year-old Clayton Masterson severely injured in the driveway. Medics provided emergency care at the scene before he was airlifted to a Little Rock hospital for advanced treatment.
Investigators quickly identified Dara M. Masterson, 33, as the driver of the vehicle and the victim’s wife. Initial statements provided to authorities indicated that Dara Masterson had gone to the home to collect her belongings following a recent marital separation. However, an argument reportedly broke out between the pair, escalating into the confrontation that led to the incident.
According to law enforcement accounts, Dara Masterson told deputies that as she attempted to drive away from the residence, she felt threatened by her husband. In the process of backing up her vehicle, she ran over him, she said. Deputies remained on scene to gather evidence and conduct interviews, including with additional witnesses reportedly present at the time.
Audio obtained from the 911 call, which lasted approximately seven minutes, captured Dara Masterson sounding frantic as she relayed details of the incident to dispatchers. During the call, she was heard screaming for help and expressing uncertainty about her husband’s condition, at one point stating, “I don’t know if he’s alive!” She described seeing bleeding from his mouth and nose and said he was breathing, but unsure if it was “normal.”
Dara Masterson was detained at the scene without incident and later charged with second-degree reckless battery and driving while intoxicated. Law enforcement authorities transferred the case to the Sebastian County Criminal Investigation Division for further review and processing.
Court records show that Dara Masterson remains in custody at the Sebastian County Adult Detention Center on $10,000 bond. Her court appearance has been scheduled for Monday.
As the investigation unfolded, authorities confirmed that Clayton Masterson’s condition, while initially critical, had stabilized by Monday afternoon. His prognosis remains uncertain pending further medical evaluation.
Family members and other witnesses have been questioned as part of the ongoing probe into the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault. The sheriff’s office continues to collect evidence and piece together the sequence of events leading up to the confrontation.
Officials have not disclosed whether prior domestic disputes had been reported at the couple’s residence or whether protective orders were in place.
The case remains under active investigation, with additional charges possible following review of new evidence and witness statements. Law enforcement officials expect to release further updates as more information becomes available.