Man involved in crash on I-40 fatally struck while trying to cross highway, police say

This screenshot from the Arkansas Department of Transportation traffic camera shows part of I-40 that was blocked after a fatal wreck.
This screenshot from the Arkansas Department of Transportation traffic camera shows part of I-40 that was blocked after a fatal wreck.

12:30 P.M. UPDATE:

A 32-year-old man was fatally struck on Interstate 40 Monday morning as he crossed the highway on foot after a crash a short time earlier in North Little Rock, authorities said.

The wreck near the North Hills Boulevard shortly after 5:30 a.m. blocked the eastbound lanes for about an hour and 45 minutes, backing up traffic for miles.

Arkansas State Police reported Michael S. Candler was walking across I-40 "just after having a vehicle accident." He was then struck by an eastbound Subaru Outback.

Candler suffered fatal injuries. No one else was listed as being hurt.

The report didn't detail what happened in the initial crash. It was said to be raining when Candler was hit.

At least 164 people have died in traffic crashes in Arkansas so far this year, according to preliminary reports.

7:55 A.M. UPDATE:

Eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 have reopened after a fatal wreck Monday morning left traffic at a standstill, according to the state Department of Transportation.

In an advisory shortly after 7:40 a.m., the agency said all lanes affected were back open. The portion of the interstate in North Little Rock had been shuttered since around 6 a.m.

Additional information regarding the wreck hasn't been released.

EARLIER STORY:

The eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 in part of North Little Rock were blocked Monday after a fatal wreck, officials said.

The Arkansas Department of Transportation said at least one person was killed in the crash, which happened before 6 a.m. near the North Hills Boulevard exit.

The agency said shortly before 6:30 a.m. that all eastbound lanes were blocked. A live traffic camera in the area appeared to show some vehicles using the far-right shoulder to get around the accident scene. The Arkansas Online live traffic map showed a significant backup in the area.

It wasn't immediately clear how many vehicles were involved or when the highway was expected to reopen.

Check back for updates.

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