GREENE COUNTY, Ark. – A stolen vehicle investigation has begun as authorities in Greene County try to find out who drove a fertilizer truck into the water.
At approximately 7:06 a.m., a motor grader operator for the Greene County Road Department notified Paragould Emergency Services of a fertilizer truck that was partially submerged in the Big Slough Ditch on County Road 855, a release from Greene County Sheriff Brad Snyder said. Due to the depth of water that the cab was located, it was unknown if the truck was occupied.
Deputy Shane Martin was the first unit to arrive on scene. The department said without hesitation, Martin entered the very cold water in an effort to save anyone that may have been trapped inside the cab. Due to the very cold water temperature and lack of visibility, Martin was unable to gain access to the cab on either side of the truck. The motor grader operator then attempted to use his grader to pull the truck out of the water, but that attempt was also unsuccessful. Rudi’s Towing was dispatched to the scene with their heavy tow trucks and were able to retrieve the truck from the ditch.
The truck was found to be unoccupied.
Evidence collected at the scene indicated that the truck had been submerged purposely. A call to the company owning the truck confirmed that the truck had been stolen from another part of Greene County overnight.
An investigation into this incident is currently in progress by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division.
I would like to thank Deputy Martin for his selfless acts in trying to ensure that no loss of life occurred, and I would like to think Greene County Road Department employee Wyman Atwood for his quick thinking and assistance with his motor grader. A thank you also needs to go out to the Northeast Greene County Fire Department, Paragould Fire Department, and AMMC Ambulance for their quick response and assistance with this incident as well. – Sheriff Brad Snyder
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