Car explosion injures head of Ark. medical board
2009-02-04

Category Explosions Nations U.S. City Memphis Little Rock States Tennessee Arkansas Category Regions County Shelby County Pulaski County Metropolitan Memphis Metro People Mike Huckabee Source (AP)

WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. - The chairman of the Arkansas State Medical Board was critically injured Wednesday when his car exploded as he was leaving home for work, an attorney said.

Trent P. Pierce was taken to Regional Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn., where he was listed in critical condition, hospital spokeswoman Sandy Snell said.

William Trice, an attorney for the medical board, said he knew of no heated disputes involving Pierce and said as chairman, Pierce often doesn't take part in board votes.

"This is just off the wall," Trice said. "It's just such bizarre circumstances."

Trice said he believed Pierce drives a hybrid, but said he had no information on what might have caused the explosion.

Pierce was expected to attend board subcommittee meetings Wednesady in Little Rock.

West Memphis police chief Robert Paudert did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Arkansas State Police spokesman Bill Sadler said troopers would help West Memphis police in the investigation. He had no further details.

Pierce was appointed to the board in January 1997 and reappointed in 2005 by former Gov. Mike Huckabee.