Wisconsin Man Pleads No Contest After Leaving Accident Scene

Sixty-eight-year-old Robert Smallish received probation for leaving the scene of a crash with injuries in Baxter County, Arkansas.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:51pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a cracked and scratched car side mirror, the harsh flash illuminating the textured surface and creating dramatic shadows against the pitch-black background, conceptually representing the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident.A damaged car part left behind at the scene of a hit-and-run accident exposes the aftermath of a driver's decision to flee.North Prairie Today

A 68-year-old man from North Prairie, Wisconsin named Robert Smallish has pleaded no contest to charges related to leaving the scene of a car accident that caused injuries in Baxter County, Arkansas last May. Smallish struck another vehicle, causing the driver to require medical treatment, but then fled the scene without offering aid or reporting the incident. He was later stopped by state police and arrested, citing a lack of insurance on his vehicle as the reason for leaving.

Why it matters

Hit-and-run accidents that leave victims injured are a serious public safety concern, as they deprive victims of immediate medical attention and can allow perpetrators to avoid responsibility. This case highlights the legal consequences drivers can face for abandoning the scene of a crash, even if no fatalities occur.

The details

According to court records, in early May of last year, Smallish struck a vehicle being driven by a 47-year-old Baxter County man, causing the victim to suffer injuries that required treatment at a local hospital. After the crash, Smallish is reported to have left the scene without offering aid or reporting the accident. He was later stopped by an Arkansas State Police trooper on Buzzard Roost Cutoff and arrested, with Smallish allegedly stating he fled because he had no insurance on his vehicle.

  • The accident occurred in early May of last year.
  • Smallish appeared in Baxter County Circuit Court/Criminal Division on March 30, 2026 and entered a plea of no contest.

The players

Robert Smallish

A 68-year-old man from North Prairie, Wisconsin who was accused of leaving the scene of a car accident that caused injuries in Baxter County, Arkansas.

Baxter County man

A 47-year-old driver whose vehicle was struck by Smallish, causing him to suffer injuries that required medical treatment.

Arkansas State Police

The law enforcement agency that later stopped and arrested Smallish after he fled the accident scene.

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What they’re saying

“He was alleged to have said he left the scene of the accident because he had no insurance on his vehicle.”

— Robert Smallish

What’s next

Smallish was placed on probation for two years as a result of pleading no contest to the charges.

The takeaway

This case highlights the serious legal consequences drivers can face for abandoning the scene of an accident, even if no fatalities occur. Leaving the scene deprives victims of immediate medical attention and allows perpetrators to avoid responsibility, posing a significant public safety risk.