A fatal crash in Avoca, Arkansas, on March 26, 2026, claimed the lives of a couple from Benton County.
According to the Arkansas State Police, the accident occurred around 12:15 p.m. on U.S. Highway 62. A Chevrolet Tahoe, driven by 45-year-old Jose Gamez of Pea Ridge, failed to yield and collided with a motorcycle.
Victims Michael Cordes, 70, and Freda Cordes, 67, both residents of Rogers, Arkansas, were pronounced dead at the scene. Gamez, uninjured, was arrested and charged with two counts of negligent homicide and driving while intoxicated.
Authorities conducted field sobriety tests and a blood draw, confirming Gamez was under the influence at the time of the crash. He is currently held at the Benton County Detention Center and is also being detained at the request of Immigration and Customs Enforcement due to an active felony warrant from Los Angeles County, California.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders addressed the incident, highlighting ongoing safety concerns and the need for stronger enforcement against violent offenders. Arkansas State Police Director Colonel Mike Hagar commended the swift actions of troopers in apprehending Gamez, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to community safety.
The investigation is ongoing.