A Mountain View man arrested earlier this year for causing significant damage in a trailer park while trying to get snakes out of his travel trailer by burning them while he was drunk is facing charges for an accident in June after he had been drinking that resulted in three people being airlifted to Little Rock hospitals. Seventy-three-year-old Charles Howard Gillihan is being held in the Stone County Jail on three charges, including two felonies.
According to the probable cause affidavit from the Arkansas State Police, the accident occurred when Gillihan’s vehicle crossed the centerline of Arkansas State Highway 5 south of Mountain View on June 8 and struck another vehicle.
After the impact, Gillihan’s vehicle rolled, struck a power pole, and then a parked travel trailer. The other vehicle rotated and came to rest just off the roadway. Gillihan was airlifted to a Little Rock hospital.
The driver of the other vehicle, a 57-year-old female, and a 66-year-old male passenger, both from Mountain View, were both airlifted to Little Rock hospitals. A male juvenile passenger was listed as having possible injuries.
Toxicology results from the Arkansas State Crime Lab indicate Gillihan’s blood alcohol content was 0.17, more than double the legal limit of 0.08.
Gillihan is facing two felony counts of second-degree battery with a motor vehicle, along with misdemeanor counts of driving while intoxicated – third offense and reckless driving. Gillihan is being held without bond.
PREVIOUS ARREST
Gillihan was arrested in May after trying to get snakes out of his RV by burning them wound up destroying two campers by fire and damaging another camper, a van, and motorcycle.
The incident happened at the Green Acres RV Park May 8. When the first officer arrived on the scene, two campers were on fire, one of them belonging to Gillihan and one next to his.
Gillihan told police there were snakes inside his RV, so he poured alcohol on them and lit it with a lighter to burn the snakes. He said that started a fire next to his couch.
The occupants of the camper that burned said they were woken up by the owner of the RV park banging on their door. They, along with their dog, were able to escape without injury.
The owner of the camper and van on the other side reported heavy smoke damage to both.
For that incident, Gillihan is facing felony charges of reckless burning and first-degree criminal mischief, along with a misdemeanor count of public intoxication.
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