03/17/17  Friday Traffic fatalities bring the Years Total To 94

 

As of Friday, Arkansas has counted 94 traffic fatalities in the state since the beginning of 2017. A double fatality occurred March 15,  on the Main Street bridge in Little Rock when a stolen truck driven by 53 year old John Blanks, who had just been paroled from prison, headed the wrong way, struck and killed 52 year old Ricky Anderson of North Little Rock, who was riding a bicycle. Both men died at the scene of the crash. Blanks was ejected from the truck. Their deaths were 90 and 91 traffic deaths.

The 92 traffic fatality in Arkansas was recorded Friday evening in Washington County. According to a report from the State Police, 52 year old Billy Gene Keys of Huntsville died in a three vehicle crash on highway 45. The report indicates that a car driven by an unidentified 17 year old, crossed the centerline and struck Keys' Ford F150. Keys' truck went off the road and overturned. A third vehicle, driven by 27 year old Alexander Noel Barksdale of Huntsville was traveling behind Keys and was struck by the truck as well. The injured were taken to Washington Regional Medical Center for treatment. Weather conditions were clear, the roadway dry at the time of the crash at 5:45 Friday evening. Trooper First Class Ryan J. Leuer investigated.

Traffic fatality 93 occurred Friday morning in Logan County when a 2003 Ford Explorer, driven by 29 year old Michael C. Horton VI of Booneville, traveling north on highway 23, crossed the center line, struck a ditch and rolled. The accident occurred just south of Booneville. Horton was taken to UAMS where he died of his injuries. Weather conditions were clear, the roadway dry at the time of the crash at 9am Friday morning. State Trooper Mike Lance investigated.

The 94 traffic fatality of the year was recorded Friday evening in Sharp County. It too was a one vehicle crash. The report stated that 78 year old Boyd Estes of Mammoth Springs, Arkansas was killed when his 2000 Buick Lasabre, headed north on highway 175, failed to negotiate a left hand curve, drove off the highway and struck a tree. Estes died at the scene. It was raining at the time of the crash Friday evening at 8:02pm. State Trooper Darren Bates investigated.