Seven Fatalities Reported in Recent Arkansas Traffic Crashes
Arkansas – Seven people died and three others were injured in a series of traffic incidents across Arkansas from April 22 to April 24, according to police reports.
On April 22, at 5:41 p.m., David Ray, 60, of Brookland, was killed in a motorcycle collision with a tractor-trailer on Arkansas 18 in Jonesboro. He was riding a 2024 Harley Davidson eastbound when a 2026 International truck turned south onto Nestle Way, striking him.
The following day, on April 23 at 2:14 p.m., Jodie Auvil, 31, of Casa, lost her life in a three-vehicle crash on Arkansas 154 in Yell County. Auvil’s 2015 Hyundai crossed the center line and collided with a 2012 Ram; a Toyota subsequently struck the Ram’s trailer. The driver and passengers of the Ram—Terry Byrd, 73, Terry Byrd Jr., 45, and Carol Byrd, 65—sustained injuries.
On April 22, Yolanda Hesslund, 50, of Nashville, was killed in a collision on Arkansas 27 at 2:22 p.m. She failed to yield while attempting to turn left onto Arkansas 27B, resulting in a crash with a 2003 Peterbilt.
On April 23 at 5:30 p.m., David May, 60, of Romance, died in a single-vehicle crash on Manning Road in White County, where he was ejected from his 2002 Ford Taurus after it overturned.
Joseph Burnett, 44, of Indianapolis, died at 4:25 p.m. on April 24 in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 55 in Mississippi County. His 2014 Volvo exited the roadway and collided with a tree.
On the same day at 8:33 a.m., Martha Deese, 58, of Trumann, died in a collision with a tractor-trailer in Craighead County; her 2017 Chevrolet turned left into oncoming traffic, colliding with a 2002 Peterbilt.
Finally, at 9:49 a.m. on April 24, 84-year-old Jean Volpert of Benton was involved in a single-vehicle crash. Reports indicate her 2022 Cadillac CT4 left the road, struck a culvert, and overturned.
The incidents are under investigation by relevant authorities.