A hunting accident in Sebastian County resulted in the death of a teenager and the wounding of his brother on Monday, November 23 at approximately 5:30 p.m.
According to Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Chief of Communications Keith Stephens, the brothers were hunting near Hartford in southwest Sebastian County. As they were attempting to load a deer, a gun that was leaning on the truck fell and accidently discharged, striking both boys. The bullet hit 14-year-old Newt Hodge in the back and passed through his body and struck his brother 19-year-old Kasey Hodge in the shoulder.
Newt Hodge was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. His brother Kasey Hodge was taken to a local hospital, and is expected to survive. The incident remains under investigation.
“This is the second hunting fatality so far this year,” added Stephens. “So far, there have been a total of eight accidents during the 2020 hunting season with six of those involving falls from deer stands. Last year there were 22 hunting accidents with two fatalities.”
