JONESBORO, Ark. – A man was killed after being struck by a semi-truck Friday night, June 15, on Johnson Avenue in Jonesboro but authorities had difficulty reaching his next of kin and his name was not released to the media until Monday, June 25.
George Jones, 59, of 430 North Allis Street in Jonesboro, was killed in the accident. He was described as a black/African-American male who went by the nickname “GEO” and may have had family in the Blytheville/Osceola area.
Officers with Jonesboro Police Department worked the accident at about 9:30 PM on the evening of June 15. Jones had been walking south bound across Johnson Avenue when the accident happened, Officer Ryan Crawford reported. The incident report says a 2006 Freightliner, driven by a 51-year-old Harrisburg man, was traveling east in the outbound lane nearing the intersection of Johnson and Drake when the pedestrian walked into his path and was struck by the vehicle.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Several officers noticed Jones had a strong odor of intoxicants about him when they examined his body.
Witnesses were interviewed but the only one who saw anything didn’t realize what he had seen until much later. This witness said he had just spoken to the deceased pedestrian while walking down the sidewalk. The deceased man had shouted out asking what time it was and the witness responded. As the witness walked away, he said he heard what he thought was a tire blow out. He turned around and, with it being dark, thought he saw a tire flying up into the air and landing in the middle lane. He continued walking, he said, until he heard sirens. He returned to the scene, realizing he was the last to ever speak to Jones, based on his account of events.
The truck driver said he never saw anyone walking across the street. While going through the intersection, the driver said he heard something hit his bumper and turned around to remain at the scene for authorities. Officers themselves noted the area was not well-lit and there was no cross-walk nearby.
Authorities were never able to reach the next of kin to Jones. If you are or know of relatives of Jones, police ask you to reach out to them. Contact Detective Wiiest at 870-935-6710.
Be the first to comment