LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas State Police say three people have died in traffic crashes on icy roads.
The crashes happened Wednesday, when freezing rain began falling in parts of Arkansas. State police said the three fatal crashes happened in Conway, Grant and White counties.
According to a preliminary report, 58-year-old James Nichols of Flippin died when another vehicle lost control on an icy bridge near Leola and crashed into his vehicle. Four others were injured in the Wednesday afternoon crash.
In Conway County, 55-year-old Thomas Coats of Hattieville was killed after he lost control of his car and crashed into trees off Arkansas 124.
Also Wednesday, 80-year-old James Franklin Conway of Bradford died when he lost control of his vehicle on an icy road in White County and hit an oncoming vehicle.
The accidents raised to six the number of fatalities in accidents on Arkansas roads this year, according to preliminary state police figures.