MONROE COUNTY, Ark. — Two people were killed and two others injured in a multi-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 79 in Monroe County on Oct. 1, according to a preliminary report by the Arkansas State Police.
Maurice Lamont Williams, of Marianna, and Gary Louis Caldwell, of Wheatley, died in the collision, which occurred just after noon, at 12:18 p.m. Investigators say the driver of a northbound 2020 International truck crossed the center line of Highway 79 and struck three southbound vehicles in succession: a 2023 Ram, a 2000 Chevrolet, and a 2026 Ford.
Both the International and the Chevrolet veered off the roadway during the crash. Caldwell was identified as the driver of the Chevrolet. Williams, whose vehicle was not specified in the release, also died at the scene.
Two other drivers sustained injuries in the crash: Tommy Lee McKinney, of Moro, who was operating the Ram, and one unidentified individual. The Arkansas State Police did not release further information on their conditions.
The investigating officer, Trooper First Class Zachary J. Means, noted that weather conditions were clear and the roadway was dry at the time of the incident. The details were provided in a preliminary summary and remain under investigation.
Fatal crashes such as this one are documented in reports by the Arkansas State Police, who routinely publish early findings before final determinations are made.