FULTON COUNTY — Arkansas State Police have provided further information regarding a tragic crash on Friday morning that resulted in the death of a Highland School District student.
According to the official fatality report, the accident occurred around 7 a.m. on U.S. 63, when a female minor — whose name and age were not disclosed — lost control of the Chevrolet Silverado she was driving while negotiating a curve. The truck, traveling southbound, skidded out of control, and the passenger side of the vehicle collided with the front of a northbound Kenworth.
Authorities reported that the road was wet at the time of the accident, which may have been a factor in the loss of control. The crash site was approximately 4.7 miles north of the U.S. 62 junction near Hardy, according to the Arkansas Department of Transportation. It took roughly 3.5 hours for emergency responders to clear the scene.
In light of the tragedy, Highland School District officials took immediate steps to support the community. Friday night’s football game against Riverview was canceled, along with a planned Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The district also announced that Saturday’s ACT testing would be postponed, and the senior high volleyball team would no longer participate in a weekend tournament at Cave City.
Counseling services were made available to students and staff throughout the day as the school community came together to mourn the loss of one of their own.
