Court docs: Arkansas woman and grandson's race at high-speed led to crash that killed sisters
Martha Phillips, 71, was arrested by Arkansas State Police in June for two counts of manslaughter for her alleged role in furnishing a vehicle to a minor without a driver's license.
Phillips' 16-year-old grandson, identified in a probable cause affidavit as Ian Phillips, was charged with two counts of manslaughter.
Court documents said that on May 30, Martha Phillips allowed Ian Phillips to drive a sports car without a license and was involved in a three-vehicle crash.
Martha and Ian reportedly traveled to Missouri to buy a Chevrolet Camaro for him. They then traveled back to their home in Scranton.
People across Arkansas mourning sisters killed in Logan County multi-car crash
Ian was allegedly traveling at 150 miles per hour and collided with a Toyota Rav4 that was traveling at 53 miles per hour. The collision caused the Toyota to 'accelerate to over 90 miles per hour and collide head-on with an oncoming semi-truck,' the affidavit said.
Mackenzie Arthur, 20, and her sister, Maddie Arthur, 17, both of Scranton, were killed in the crash. No other injuries were reported.
The affidavit mentioned that Martha knew Ian had a history of reckless driving, including fleeing from law enforcement on a side-by-side. Ian also previously took Martha's vehicle and wrecked it in a field, according to the affidavit.
Ian's sister spoke with law enforcement and said that Ian told her that he and Martha were racing from Fayetteville.
'Ian bragged about 'gapping' the whole way back from Fayetteville,' Ian's sister said.
The affidavit said that Martha 'had maxed out at 120 miles per hour.'
Martha Phillips is free on a $250,000 bond and is set to appear in court on July 11.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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