Fatal Crashes in Arkansas Over Holiday Week
Arkansas State Police reported several fatal accidents statewide between December 24 and December 27, 2025.
A Newark man, Kenneth C. Cordell, 36, was killed in a single-vehicle crash on Arkansas 14 East in Stone County at approximately midnight on December 27. The 2014 Buick he was driving failed to negotiate a curve, ran off the road, struck a stump, and overturned. Cordell was the only occupant; no other injuries were reported. Weather conditions were clear, and the roadway was dry. The investigation is ongoing.
In Little Rock, a teenage girl died, and Kaleb Green, 20, was injured in a single-vehicle accident on Wright Avenue around 1:17 a.m. on December 26. The 2014 Volkswagen that Green was driving left the roadway after failing to navigate a curve, struck a utility pole, rolled over, and collided with a building. The girl, whose name has not been released due to her age, was pronounced dead at the scene. Green was transported to UAMS and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Weather conditions were clear, with a wet roadway. Officer Christina Goss of the Little Rock Police Department is investigating.
A multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 in Pulaski County claimed the life of Braxton Adams, 19, on December 25 at approximately 12:21 p.m. Adams was riding a 2022 Kawasaki motorcycle eastbound when he struck a trailer being pulled by another vehicle, causing his motorcycle to overturn. The collision left both vehicles in the median.
James Legg, 75, was killed in a single-vehicle crash on December 25 at approximately 11:34 a.m. on Arkansas 201 in Baxter County. His 2015 Jeep left the roadway, struck a rock embankment, and overturned.
Additionally, Richard Pannell Jr., 52, died in a rollover crash on rural Polk Road 26 on December 24 at approximately 4:22 p.m., after his 2005 Nissan Titan failed to negotiate a curve. A passenger, Jonathan Akins, 52, was injured and transported for treatment.
Each crash is under investigation by the respective authorities.