PARAGOULD, Ark. – Police say a driver crashed into pole, backed out, and fled on Highway 49 before wrecking again, this time into the fire truck. The driver did not survive the injuries caused by the accidents.
At approximately 9:20 a.m., Paragould police say officers responded to Highway 49 South near the Walmart Neighborhood Market for a one-vehicle crash into a pole. Officers arrived and found the driver still in the vehicle, alone. The vehicle was still running and in drive, police said. After multiple attempts to get the vehicle turned off and the driver assessed for injuries, authorities say the driver backed out of the accident scene and fled northbound on Highway 49.
A near-miss happened as the vehicle continued northbound, police described. They said the vehicle crossed over into oncoming traffic and almost hit an ambulance responding to the original crash report. The vehicle remained northbound in the southbound lanes up to the intersection of Pruett’s Chapel Rd and Highway 49. That’s where the vehicle struck the Paragould Fire Department’s rescue truck, sitting stationary at the stop light in the inside southbound lane.
The sole occupant of the vehicle was transported to Arkansas Methodist Medical Center, where they died, police confirmed. No name has been released as police are still notifying next of kin.
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