Public rallies around trooper

Various ways available to assist hospitalized officer and his family

An Arkansas State Police trooper seriously injured in a car accident on U.S. Highway 71 Thursday remains hospitalized in Little Rock.

ASP Spokesman Bill Sadler said Friday that he could not release specific medical information on Cpl. Clayton McWilliams, 32, of Ashdown. McWilliams was taken to a Little Rock hospital after initially being taken to CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System on Thursday.

While driving to a crash scene along U.S. Highway 71 on Thursday, McWilliams’ patrol vehicle left the roadway after hydroplaning and struck a tree.

Heavy rainfall in the area is believed to have contributed to the cause of the crash.

The accident happened at 12:50 p.m. Thursday on U.S. Highway 71 near Wilton, Ark., in Little River County, according to a news release. McWilliams was responding to a crash scene in Sevier County where a logging truck had overturned.

An assistance fund has been established for McWilliams’ family at Diamond Bank of Texarkana. Deposits can be made at any Diamond Bank branch.

The account is sponsored by Arkansas State Police Foundation Spouse’s Auxiliary. Questions regarding this account can be directed to Emily Hamilton at 870-292-9914 or Hilary Young at 903-

244-3591.

There is also support coming from the Arden community near Ashdown where McWilliams lives with his family.

The Arden Volunteer Fire Department, Little River County Sheriff’s Department and Ashdown Police Department are hosting a chili dinner and auction to benefit McWilliams and his family with medical expenses.

The fundraiser will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan.12, at the Arden Community Building.

“He and his wife live here and his mother-in-law. Some of his relatives are firefighters with Arden VFD. This is just the community giving back,” said Johnny Brown of the Arden VFD.

“He’s a good neighbor and a well-hearted, all-around good guy,” Brown said.

Anyone who would like to donate items for the auction, can call: Johnny Brown at 903-748-6846, Richard Bowman at 870-6486281 and Justin Cooper at 903-8240016.

An account for the family has also been established at Mil-Way Federal Credit Union in Ashdown.