Wrecks again cause traffic woes in FCity
A pair of wrecks on Interstate 40 Tuesday afternoon again created traffic problems throughout Forrest City.
The first accident occurred just after noon when a westbound 18-wheeler driver lost control of his truck, crossed the median and cable barriers and collided with eastbound traffic near the 246 mile marker.
Arkansas State Police Spokesman Bill Sadler said four commercial carrier trucks were involved in the accident and pushed off the highway into a right-of-way ditch where fire engulfed a portion of the crash scene.
Sadler said one person in the accident was pronounced deceased at the scene and troopers are working with forensic specialists to confirm the identify of the victim. Once that has been done and next of kin notified, then State Police will post the preliminary accident summary on its website. “There is a continuing investigation related to the crash continuing today,” said Sadler.
This wreck occurred just east of the St. Francis River Bridge where, on Aug. 23, another major accident occurred, closing the eastbound lanes of traffic overnight while repairs were made to the bridge.
Traffic on Tuesday and at the time of the August wreck was rerouted through Forrest City, creating traffic problems throughout the city.
After the accident in August, Forrest City Mayor Cedric Williams said he and the city’s department leaders met to develop a plan to address traffic problems when the next accident occurred.
Forrest City Police Chief Ronald Broussard this morning explained that the city’s process is currently to close some city streets to traffic to prevent the truck drivers from following their GPS systems that often lead them down city streets where trucks are prohibited.
According to Broussard, on Tuesday, officers with not only the city’s police department, but county and State Police helped control traffic along with the city’s public works department,
state highway department and other city workers who were available.
Broussard said that as the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 were being reopened to traffic and city officials began directing traffic back onto the interstate, another accident occurred west of Forrest City, causing more delays. “We had just moved the barriers only to go back and put them out again,” he said.
The second accident, which occurred about 3:50 p.m., near the 238 eastbound mile marker, involved an Arkansas Highway Patrol vehicle. Sadler, although asked about the officer’s condition this morning, did not provide an update on that crash.
“The highway patrolman was seriously injured and they had to fly him out, which also caused traffic to back up,” said Broussard. “We’re praying for him.
“A city is like a body which has many veins that represent roads. What we want to do is close off some of the veins which allow the artery to flow, which is the city,” said Broussard.
On Tuesday, the city barricaded Turner, L’Anguille and Eldridge roads in an effort to reduce traffic in those areas, “so we don’t have all the traffic with GPS directing them to alternate routes through the city,” said Broussard. “Our plan worked to perfection yesterday although there were many inconveniences for businesses as well as citizens.”
Broussard also cautioned residents to try to understand that the traffic situations, although inconvenient, are mostly temporary.
“Our inconveniences are short term and never need to be quantified with other tragedies and the loss of life on the interstate,” he said. “If we’re inconvenienced for a little while as they get it cleaned up, it doesn’t compare to the life tragedies on the interstate. We will do our best to make sure the traffic flows, but keep in mind, it’s only an inconvenience for a little while for us while others are suffering for a lifetime.”
Broussard said the city’s plan will be reviewed after Tuesday’s incidents to see what improvements or changes can be made over time.
“There is no infallible plan that is going to stop traffic totally from coming through Forrest City when the interstate is blocked,” said Broussard.
A third accident occurred Tuesday night in Palestine when the trailer of an 18-wheeler was struck by a train.
Palestine Police Chief Jeff Nichols said the train clipped the back end of the truck’s trailer, knocking some of the products off the truck.
“There were no injuries reported in the accident,” said Nichols. "Due to the way traffic was backed up in town, the tail end of the truck’s trailer was sitting on the tracks when the train came through. The train clipped the back of the trailer. The truck had nowhere to go after he crossed the tracks and didn't quite get all the way across, and the westbound train was unable to stop. We are just happy that nobody was hurt in the accident."
“It’s just one of those unfortunate events,” said Broussard. “I encourage people to be more aware and slow down. Secondary wrecks are just as bad as the initial wrecks.”
Members of the Forrest City City Council, meeting Tuesday night, also questioned the city’s plan for traffic situations when the interstate is closed.
“When I see tractor trailer trucks coming down Forrest Street, I know we have an issue,” said councilman Danny Capps.
“Hopefully, you noticed an improvement today,” responded Williams. “We got together after the last incident and put a plan in place. Today, police and public works had barricades set up in different areas to help with traffic flow. Hopefully, we made significant improvements this time compared to last time.”