Little Rock Man Sentenced to 25 Years for First-Degree Murder in 2024 Crash

A Little Rock man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in connection with a 2024 crash that killed a mother and her young child, according to court records and the Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Derius Shamar Wade entered the plea on February 19, 2025, before Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox.

Details of the 2024 Crash and Charges

The fatal collision occurred on February 12, 2024, when a vehicle driven by Wade struck another car traveling in Little Rock. According to the Pulaski County Prosecutor’s file, the impact resulted in the deaths of 30-year-old Raven Roberts and her two-year-old child, Cairo Roberts. Investigators determined that Wade was driving at a high rate of speed at the time of the crash. Prosecutors charged Wade with first-degree murder under Arkansas law, which applies when a death is caused under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life.

Puryear Agreement and Sentencing Terms

Under the terms of the plea agreement finalized in Pulaski County Circuit Court, Wade received a 25-year sentence in the custody of the Arkansas Division of Correction. Judge Fox accepted the negotiated plea, which closed the criminal docket for the felony charges filed against Wade following the 2024 incident. Court documents show that the 25-year term is to be served without the possibility of an immediate release, reflecting the statutory guidelines for violent offenses resulting in multiple fatalities in the state.

Legal Context and Case Progression

The case moved through the Sixth Judicial District of Arkansas over the course of a year, culminating in the February 2025 hearing. Prosecuting attorneys presented evidence regarding vehicle telemetry and accident reconstruction to establish the speed and trajectory of Wade’s car prior to the impact. Following consultations between the defense and the prosecutor’s office, Wade waived his right to a jury trial and entered the guilty plea to the Class Y felony count of first-degree murder, concluding the judicial proceedings in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County.