3 killed in one-car crash on Hwy. 77

3 killed in one-car crash on Hwy. 77

Notoriously dangerous curve in Marion claims the life of driver, two passengers over the weekend

ralphhardin@gmail.com The sharp corner of Arkansas Highway 77 in Marion known colloquially at “Dead Man’s Curve” lived up to its name over the weekend, as three men were killed in a one-vehicle crash late Saturday night.

Arkansas State Police, the Marion Police Department and the Marion Fire Department responded to the call a little after 1 a.m., and found the vehicle, a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze off the road, having left the northbound lane near the Walmart Neighborhood Market.

According to an Arkansas State Police report, Charles Massey, 59, of Marion was driving the vehicle when it left the road, made contact with a sign and then struck a tree. Driving conditions were clear at the time of the accident and the roads were dry. Massey, along with two passengers, Calvin Beauregard, 63, of Sunset, and Ray Smith, 59, of West Memphis, were also killed in the crash.

Cpl. James Collins of the Arkansas State Police was the investigating officer on the scene. The investigation is still ongoing.

The three deaths bring the total number of highway fatalities in Arkansas up to 245 for the year.

By Ralph Hardin