WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — A car-bomb explosion critically wounded the chief of the Arkansas panel that licenses and disciplines doctors, detonating in his driveway as he was leaving for work, authorities said.
Police said they had no idea why someone would target Dr. Trent P. Pierce, chairman of the Arkansas State Medical Board. The explosive device placed on or near the car shattered the front of his white Lexus hybrid in a blast the police chief said could be heard a mile away.
“We don’t know if this was a random target or someone specifically targeted him,” said West Memphis Police Chief Bob Paudert.
He said it wasn’t known if the doctor was in his car when the device exploded.
Pierce, a family physician, was taken to Regional Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn., where he was listed in critical condition, hospital spokeswoman Sandy Snell said. Paudert said Pierce lost one eye and remained in surgery late Wednesday afternoon after suffering severe burns to his face and shrapnel wounds.
Paudert said Pierce remains sedated and that investigators have yet to speak with him.
Pierce had been due in Little Rock later Wednesday in advance of today’s and Friday’s medical-board meeting. The board agenda includes at least seven doctors who previously faced discipline.
Board attorney William Trice of Little Rock said he knew of no heated disputes involving Pierce and that Pierce often didn’t even take part in board votes.
“This is just off the wall,” Trice said. “It’s just such bizarre circumstances.”
Little Rock police used bomb-sniffing dogs Wednesday afternoon to scan the board’s headquarters. State police investigators and Little Rock detectives spoke with workers and accessed Pierce’s e-mail account. Officers also planned to provide security during the board’s upcoming hearings.
Pierce received no threatening e-mails or letters at work, nor had there been any outbursts during recent meetings targeting him, Trice said. The lawyer said he spoke Tuesday with Pierce and that their conversation carried no tension or hints of trouble.
