North Little Rock's Pulaski Technical College is mourning the loss of a faculty member following a weekend accident.

According to an Arkansas State Police accident report, Johnny Dollar, 53, was hit by a vehicle along Highway 65 south in Greenbrier Saturday night. He died after being flown to the hospital by helicopter.

The report shows that just before 10 o'clock, Dollar was removing a dog that had been hit by a vehicle near Shadow Ridge Road when he was hit. Troopers say the driver swerved but could not avoid hitting Dollar with his vehicle's right front fender.

The college has set up a Facebook online memorial (click here).
 
The Pulaski Tech Counseling Department is offering counseling to any students, staff and faculty on a walk-in basis. They will also offer a grief workshop on Friday at noon in the RJ Wills Lecture Hall, located on the second floor of the campus center.

Visitation for Dollar will be Tuesday from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Wood-Bean Funeral Home, 2015 North First Street, Jacksonville.

Funeral services are set for 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 12415 Cantrell Road in Little Rock.

College president, Dr. Dan F. Bakke, sent the following email about Dollar's death to the campus community Monday morning:

Dear Campus Community:

It is with profound sadness that I join the entire college community in mourning the loss of our friend and colleague, Johnny Dollar, well-known and well-respected instructor of history, religion and political science at Pulaski Technical College.

Johnny died Saturday evening from injuries received in an accident that occurred while he was rescuing an injured animal from the highway. It does not surprise me that Johnny risked his own life to save another. He was and will continue to be a hero to many of his students, former students, colleagues, friends and family members.

Johnny brought energy, vibrancy, passion and compassion to his life’s work. The abruptness of his death is especially difficult to understand because of the enthusiasm with which he lived his life.

Having joined Pulaski Tech as an adjunct faculty member in 1993, Johnny became a full-time faculty member in 1996 and contributed significantly to the growth and development of the college. He, along with his colleagues, developed the college’s history, political science and religion curriculum. He loved teaching and being around his students, and he was a well-deserved recipient of the faculty STAR Award for teaching excellence.

As department chair, Johnny was a servant leader to colleagues who gained immensely from his wise counsel, support and guidance. As a former journalist, he was a tireless advocate of First Amendment rights, helping to organize the college’s annual celebration of Constitution Day and bringing many well-known speakers to campus to enhance the learning experience for our students.

Johnny's family was of paramount importance to him. He is survived by his beloved wife, Susan, and twin daughters, Charlotte and Lauralee, all members of the Pulaski Tech family. Please continue to remember them with your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Johnny’s tragic and untimely death serves as a reminder of just how fragile life can be. As we mourn the loss of this great teacher, mentor, colleague and friend, let us also remember to celebrate his extraordinary life and legacy.

Dan F. Bakke
President