BATESVILLE, Ark. – A tragic highway accident over the weekend claimed the life of a Batesville woman and left five others injured.
Agueda Carrillo Mata, 53, was identified as the victim in the crash, according to a fatality report from the Arkansas State Police. Mata was a passenger in a Dodge Ram that had pulled onto the right shoulder of U.S. Highway 67 in Lonoke County early Sunday morning, September 29.
The report indicates that a northbound semi-truck struck the parked Ram, causing the semi’s fuel tank to rupture and ignite both vehicles. The impact pushed the Ram into a nearby ditch, where it rolled over, ejecting its passengers. Three passengers sustained injuries, along with two individuals who had been standing outside the vehicle at the time of the collision.
Authorities noted that road and weather conditions were clear and dry when the accident occurred at approximately 12:28 a.m. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.