A Drew County man was fatally struck by a vehicle while retrieving tools that fell out of his pickup onto a highway early Monday, according to the sheriff’s office.
Zachary Jones, 20, of Tillar and a co-worker were traveling west on Arkansas 138 around 5:40 a.m. when a toolbox fell from the back of the truck, causing tools to spill onto the highway, authorities said in a statement.
Jones, the vehicle’s driver, then turned around, pulled over in an eastbound lane on the road, stepped outside the truck and walked to the westbound lane to pick up the items.
The sheriff’s office said that moments later, the driver of an oncoming 2008 Honda Accord swerved to the far edge of westbound traffic in an effort to avoid Jones’ truck. Jones, who was standing nearby, was then struck.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities. Jones' death was the 288th reported by Arkansas State Police on an Arkansas road so far this year, based on preliminary figures.
The Drew County sheriff’s office and state police are investigating the accident.