*
*
An explosive device went off in the car of a prominent Arkansas doctor as federal agents investigated the blast outside his home that critically injured him, a spokesman with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms told FOX News.
The explosion happened Wednesday in the driveway of Dr. Trent P. Pierce, the chairman of the Arkansas State Medical Board.
West Memphis Police Chief Bob Paudert said "some type of explosive device" was planted in the car that blew up when Pierce was leaving his West Memphis home for work.
Click here for photos.
"We believe he was on the outside of the car when the explosion occurred," Paudert said.
Pierce's white Lexus hybrid sat in the driveway after the explosion, its hood open and bumper partially torn away.
The doctor was taken to Regional Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn., where he was listed in critical condition, hospital spokeswoman Sandy Snell said.
His injuries are reportedly not life-threatening.
Board attorney William Trice said he had no information on what caused the explosion.
He said he knew of no disputes the chairman was involved in and said Pierce doesn't even vote on many board matters.
"This is just off the wall," Trice said. "It's just such bizarre circumstances."
Pierce, however, is named as a co-defendant in a case that last month made its way to the Arkansas State Supreme Court, where his motion to dismiss the appeal was granted Jan. 22.
Click here to read the judge's decision to dismiss the appeal. (pdf)
The lawsuit was brought by the estate of a deceased woman, Norma Louise Ramsey, against Pierce, a senior citizens' medical facility company called Golden Living — formerly known as Beverly Enterprises — the Memphis Dermatology Clinic and other defendants.
Ramsey was 92 years old when she died in July 2004, according to her obituary in The Arkansas Democrat Gazette. There was no cause of death given.
Photo Essays
* Arkansas Car Explosion
Links
* Supreme Court of Arkansas Motion to Dismiss Appeal Filed by Dr. Trent Pierce
In 2005, the state of Arkansas paid $1.5 million to settle 26 lawsuits brought against Beverly Enterprises. The suits stemmed from allegations of mistreatment and neglect of residents at 12 of its nursing homes.
It wasn't immediately clear whether the lawsuit naming Pierce as a co-defendant with Beverly Enterprises was among the 26 abuse cases. His medical license is listed as active.
A spokesman for Golden Living told FOXNews.com that he was looking into the matter.
In 2006, the Fort Smith, Ark.-based Beverly Enterprises was again sued — this time for $155 million in the neglect and eventual death of 84-year-old Loren Richards by his daughter and estate, according to the Gazette. The case went to trial.
The company has paid millions in wrongful-death lawsuits brought in several states in addition to Arkansas, including Mississippi, Florida and Virginia, the paper reported.
In one such case in Evansville, Ind., the death of an 86-year-old woman who lived at one of the nursing homes was ruled a homicide by neglect.
Subcommittees of the Arkansas medical board were scheduled to meet Wednesday afternoon and Pierce was expected to attend the meetings in Little Rock, his lawyer said.
The ATF would not confirm what type of device was involved in the explosion, but said a "bomb truck" was at the scene.
Two agents from the FBI's national headquarters have joined the ATF and local law enforcement on the scene. Authorities are interviewing witnesses.
Neighbor Julanne Ingram said she heard the blast about 8 a.m.
"It was a huge explosion," she said. "It rattled the windows in this house."
Pierce, a family physician and asthma specialist, was appointed in January 1997 by former Gov. Mike Huckabee.
Click here for more on this story from FOX16.com.
FOXNews.com's Catherine Donaldson-Evans and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
* See Next Story in U.S.
* Print
* ShareThis
PEOPLE WHO READ THIS...
Also read these stories:
Mexican Drug Cartels Armed to the Hilt, Threatening National Security
[2009-02-04]
mexican drug lords arming for war, drug, war, mexican drug cartels armed to the hilt, photos
3891 visitors also liked this.
'Drunk' Pilot Sparks Revolt on Flight to New York
[2009-02-04]
'drunk' pilot sparks passenger revolt, pilot, bird strike prompts another scare, world, news.com
4494 visitors also liked this.
Injured Japanese Man Dies After 14 Hospitals Refuse to Admit Him
[2009-02-04]
news.com, health, photos, foreclosed homes trashed by owners, atf probes doctor car blast
2316 visitors also liked this.
Australian Throws Daughter Off Bridge to Death, Police Say
[2009-01-29]
murder at rush hour, murder, world, rush, investigators blame nascar for plane crash
15874 visitors also liked this.
11 Ex-Gitmo Detainees on Saudi Most Wanted List
[2009-02-04]
45 visitors also liked this.
powered by Baynote
FOX NEWS VIDEOS
TOP VIDEOS
Hold the Salt
Across America
You Are Not Alone
US
* Animal Control tranquilizes giant animal
* Man stops burglary in his underwear
* Drug deal during 911 call
* Should U.S. reduce nuke stockpile?
ADVERTISEMENT
most active
* Most Read
* Most Emailed
* Monster Snake Slithered at 43 Feet Long
February 04, 2009
* 'Hungry' Killers Ate Girl's Body Parts, Prosecutors Say
February 04, 2009
* 'Drunk' Pilot Sparks Revolt on Flight to New York
February 04, 2009
* Injured Japanese Man Dies After 14 Hospitals Refuse to Admit Him
February 04, 2009
* Mexican Drug Cartels Armed to the Hilt, Threatening National Security
February 04, 2009
* Report: Doctor Threw Baby, Patient Left to Die in Hallway
February 04, 2009
* 4-Year-Old Girl Killed in Washing Machine
February 04, 2009
* Critics Blast Miley Cyrus for Racially Insensitive Gesture
February 04, 2009
* ATF: Explosive Device Found in Arkansas Doctor's Car After Blast
February 04, 2009
* Report: Owners of Foreclosed Homes Steal Appliances, Leave Houses in Disarray
February 04, 2009
* It's Not a Tumor - Doctors Find Worm In Woman's Brain Instead
November 20, 2008
* How to Get a Refund When Your Airfare Drops
January 08, 2009
* Powerful Solar Storm Could Shut Down U.S. for Months
January 09, 2009
* Flying Car Prepares for Test Drive
January 11, 2009
* 22-Year-Old Sells Virginity Online -- and Feds Can't Do a Thing to Stop Her
January 15, 2009
* 'Villages' Retirement Home is Widower's Sex Paradise
January 26, 2009
* Democrats' Economic Plan: Blame The Republicans for Everything
January 26, 2009
* Scientists Not So Sure 'Doomsday Machine' Won't Destroy World
January 28, 2009
* Hackers Crack Into Texas Road Sign, Warn of Zombies Ahead
January 29, 2009
* Al Gore and Venus Envy
January 29, 2009
*
An explosive device went off in the car of a prominent Arkansas doctor as federal agents investigated the blast outside his home that critically injured him, a spokesman with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms told FOX News.
The explosion happened Wednesday in the driveway of Dr. Trent P. Pierce, the chairman of the Arkansas State Medical Board.
West Memphis Police Chief Bob Paudert said "some type of explosive device" was planted in the car that blew up when Pierce was leaving his West Memphis home for work.
Click here for photos.
"We believe he was on the outside of the car when the explosion occurred," Paudert said.
Pierce's white Lexus hybrid sat in the driveway after the explosion, its hood open and bumper partially torn away.
The doctor was taken to Regional Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn., where he was listed in critical condition, hospital spokeswoman Sandy Snell said.
His injuries are reportedly not life-threatening.
Board attorney William Trice said he had no information on what caused the explosion.
He said he knew of no disputes the chairman was involved in and said Pierce doesn't even vote on many board matters.
"This is just off the wall," Trice said. "It's just such bizarre circumstances."
Pierce, however, is named as a co-defendant in a case that last month made its way to the Arkansas State Supreme Court, where his motion to dismiss the appeal was granted Jan. 22.
Click here to read the judge's decision to dismiss the appeal. (pdf)
The lawsuit was brought by the estate of a deceased woman, Norma Louise Ramsey, against Pierce, a senior citizens' medical facility company called Golden Living — formerly known as Beverly Enterprises — the Memphis Dermatology Clinic and other defendants.
Ramsey was 92 years old when she died in July 2004, according to her obituary in The Arkansas Democrat Gazette. There was no cause of death given.
Photo Essays
* Arkansas Car Explosion
Links
* Supreme Court of Arkansas Motion to Dismiss Appeal Filed by Dr. Trent Pierce
In 2005, the state of Arkansas paid $1.5 million to settle 26 lawsuits brought against Beverly Enterprises. The suits stemmed from allegations of mistreatment and neglect of residents at 12 of its nursing homes.
It wasn't immediately clear whether the lawsuit naming Pierce as a co-defendant with Beverly Enterprises was among the 26 abuse cases. His medical license is listed as active.
A spokesman for Golden Living told FOXNews.com that he was looking into the matter.
In 2006, the Fort Smith, Ark.-based Beverly Enterprises was again sued — this time for $155 million in the neglect and eventual death of 84-year-old Loren Richards by his daughter and estate, according to the Gazette. The case went to trial.
The company has paid millions in wrongful-death lawsuits brought in several states in addition to Arkansas, including Mississippi, Florida and Virginia, the paper reported.
In one such case in Evansville, Ind., the death of an 86-year-old woman who lived at one of the nursing homes was ruled a homicide by neglect.
Subcommittees of the Arkansas medical board were scheduled to meet Wednesday afternoon and Pierce was expected to attend the meetings in Little Rock, his lawyer said.
The ATF would not confirm what type of device was involved in the explosion, but said a "bomb truck" was at the scene.
Two agents from the FBI's national headquarters have joined the ATF and local law enforcement on the scene. Authorities are interviewing witnesses.
Neighbor Julanne Ingram said she heard the blast about 8 a.m.
"It was a huge explosion," she said. "It rattled the windows in this house."
Pierce, a family physician and asthma specialist, was appointed in January 1997 by former Gov. Mike Huckabee.
Click here for more on this story from FOX16.com.
FOXNews.com's Catherine Donaldson-Evans and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
* See Next Story in U.S.
* ShareThis
PEOPLE WHO READ THIS...
Also read these stories:
Mexican Drug Cartels Armed to the Hilt, Threatening National Security
[2009-02-04]
mexican drug lords arming for war, drug, war, mexican drug cartels armed to the hilt, photos
3891 visitors also liked this.
'Drunk' Pilot Sparks Revolt on Flight to New York
[2009-02-04]
'drunk' pilot sparks passenger revolt, pilot, bird strike prompts another scare, world, news.com
4494 visitors also liked this.
Injured Japanese Man Dies After 14 Hospitals Refuse to Admit Him
[2009-02-04]
news.com, health, photos, foreclosed homes trashed by owners, atf probes doctor car blast
2316 visitors also liked this.
Australian Throws Daughter Off Bridge to Death, Police Say
[2009-01-29]
murder at rush hour, murder, world, rush, investigators blame nascar for plane crash
15874 visitors also liked this.
11 Ex-Gitmo Detainees on Saudi Most Wanted List
[2009-02-04]
45 visitors also liked this.
powered by Baynote
FOX NEWS VIDEOS
TOP VIDEOS
Hold the Salt
Across America
You Are Not Alone
US
* Animal Control tranquilizes giant animal
* Man stops burglary in his underwear
* Drug deal during 911 call
* Should U.S. reduce nuke stockpile?
ADVERTISEMENT
most active
* Most Read
* Most Emailed
* Monster Snake Slithered at 43 Feet Long
February 04, 2009
* 'Hungry' Killers Ate Girl's Body Parts, Prosecutors Say
February 04, 2009
* 'Drunk' Pilot Sparks Revolt on Flight to New York
February 04, 2009
* Injured Japanese Man Dies After 14 Hospitals Refuse to Admit Him
February 04, 2009
* Mexican Drug Cartels Armed to the Hilt, Threatening National Security
February 04, 2009
* Report: Doctor Threw Baby, Patient Left to Die in Hallway
February 04, 2009
* 4-Year-Old Girl Killed in Washing Machine
February 04, 2009
* Critics Blast Miley Cyrus for Racially Insensitive Gesture
February 04, 2009
* ATF: Explosive Device Found in Arkansas Doctor's Car After Blast
February 04, 2009
* Report: Owners of Foreclosed Homes Steal Appliances, Leave Houses in Disarray
February 04, 2009
* It's Not a Tumor - Doctors Find Worm In Woman's Brain Instead
November 20, 2008
* How to Get a Refund When Your Airfare Drops
January 08, 2009
* Powerful Solar Storm Could Shut Down U.S. for Months
January 09, 2009
* Flying Car Prepares for Test Drive
January 11, 2009
* 22-Year-Old Sells Virginity Online -- and Feds Can't Do a Thing to Stop Her
January 15, 2009
* 'Villages' Retirement Home is Widower's Sex Paradise
January 26, 2009
* Democrats' Economic Plan: Blame The Republicans for Everything
January 26, 2009
* Scientists Not So Sure 'Doomsday Machine' Won't Destroy World
January 28, 2009
* Hackers Crack Into Texas Road Sign, Warn of Zombies Ahead
January 29, 2009
* Al Gore and Venus Envy
January 29, 2009
Last edited: