Judge Brad Karren Injured in Bicycle Accident

The Honorable Brad Karren, a Nineteenth West Judicial Circuit Judge in Bentonville, Arkansas, was injured over the weekend while riding his bicycle with his son. According to a posting on his Facebook page, Judge Karren was riding on the Compton Gardens trails in Bentonville when he suffered an accident. He taken to Northwest Medical Center for treatment, and then airlifted to the Mercy Emergency Trauma Center in Springfield, Missouri.

Judge Karren’s family provided an update on his condition Monday morning. The judge suffered fractures to his neck, but thankfully avoided any spinal cord or brain damage. Judge Karren was alert and in stable condition on Monday afternoon. He was waiting for placement of a comprehensive neck stabilization device which would support his fractured vertebrae, and is expected to be released from the hospital sometime this week.

The Honorable David Clinger will be covering Judge Karren’s cases and court schedule while he recovers. It is unknown when the judge will return to work on a full-time basis.