Fiery wreck in Ouachita County kills 37-year-old man, troopers say

Fatal wrecks in Arkansas
Fatal wrecks in Arkansas

A 37-year-old Arkansas man died Monday after his vehicle struck a tree and caught fire, authorities said.

Wesley Thompson of East Camden was driving a 2014 Chevrolet east on U.S. 278 in Ouachita County when the vehicle left the roadway, hit a tree and burst into flames, according to a preliminary report by state police. Troopers said Thompson died as a result of the crash, which happened shortly before 7 a.m..

Skies were cloudy and the road was wet at the time of the wreck, according to authorities.

In rural White County, a 29-year-old Judsonia man died after his vehicle missed a curve and hit several trees, a separate preliminary report states.

Troopers said the crash happened at about noon, when a 1998 Ford Expedition driven by Mark A. Hemmert failed to negotiate a curve on Arkansas 11 and struck the trees. Hemmert died, and a passenger in the Ford was injured, the report states.

Authorities described conditions as clear and dry at the time of the crash.

A Jacksonville man injured in an auto accident Wednesday on U.S. 70 in Garland County died two days later in a Little Rock hospital, troopers said.

Arkansas State Police report that Isiah Goyco, 24, was a passenger in a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe traveling westbound on U.S. 70 west of the rest area in near Lonsdale just before 7 a.m. Wednesday that crossed the centerline and was struck by an eastbound 2017 Dodge Caravan.

Goyco was taken to CHI St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock where he was pronounced dead on Friday, according to a preliminary report on the crash. The drivers of both vehicles were injured, the report states.

Troopers said it was raining and the roadway was wet at the time of the wreck.

According to preliminary numbers, at least 467 people have died on Arkansas roadways in 2020.

This story was originally published at 11:51 a.m.

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