Fatal fiery crash shuts down I-40 for hours

FORREST CITY — Interstate 40 near Forrest City, Arkansas was shut down Monday after a truck hauling diesel fuel exploded on the interstate.

It happened just after 3 p.m. along the eastbound lanes.

Arkansas State Police said a total of three vehicles were involved in the crash, and two of them were commercial carrier trucks.

At least one person was trapped in the crash, police said. ARDOT officials later confirmed that one person died in the crash and the weather played a part in the crash.

“It appears weather was certainly a factor in this,” ARDOT Spokesman Dave Parker said. “It was a horrible accident. 13 vehicles involved. I believe eight tractor trailers. Two other trucks and three non-commercial vehicles.”

It is still unclear if a car stopped or hydroplaned, but whatever happened set off a chain reaction accident and a traffic nightmare for drivers.

“There was some damage to the overpass there,” Parker said. “Damage to the roadway caused by the heat from the fire and from the explosion. We got it temporarily repaired enough to get some of the roadway open to get traffic flowing.”

Arkansas State Police said I-40 was reopened to westbound traffic around 8:30 p.m. but the eastbound lanes were not cleared and fully reopened until early Tuesday morning.

A huge traffic backup due to the fire stretched for miles in both directions.

Witnesses reported seeing flames “50 to 100 feet high” ARDOT also warns drivers that it could be days before repairs are made on the interstate.

“We are now working on a full repair schedule, but we know it’s going to take at least two full nights of work,” Parker said. “But we will not shut down the interstate for that.”

***

LITTLE ROCK — According to the National Weather Service, Arkansas experienced 13 days of 100 degrees or greater in July, while the average high temperature was the warmest since 2012 and the ninth warmest on record.

Because this summer brought one of the earliest and longest stretches of high temperatures at a time when prices have increased for everything from gasoline to groceries, Entergy Arkansas is stepping up to help customers by expanding corporate contributions by $1.8 million and implementing a series of measures to assist our customers and communities, including: Increasing contributions for bill assistance to The Power to Care, a program administered by the Salvation Army to assist qualified elderly and disabled customers pay their electric bills.

Providing funds to the Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association to help with bill assistance.

Providing bill assistance to Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed (ALICE) customers across the state through the United Way.

Working with local community partners to provide support, including grants for fans through Beat the Heat program, and assisting customers with Low Income Home Energy Assistance Programs applications.

Organizing Entergy Arkansas employee volunteers to conduct energy efficiency and weatherization events in select neighborhoods, energy efficiency kits and weatherization to homes.

Participating in community events and providing additional support beyond bill relief, such as donating food and schools supplies.

Through September, Entergy Arkansas is crediting late fees for residential customers and also crediting fees for all residential customers who pay with credit cards through September.

***

Jonesboro police investigating fire at nuisance house

JONESBORO — The house at 523 N. Main St. in Jonesboro is probably not a choice location.

Since 2019, police have

Continued on Page 15 STATE NEWS (cont.)

been dispatched to the residence 47 times. Six were medical calls, five were attempts to contact, five were for assaults, five were for disturbances, two were residential burglaries and three were for thefts.

Other calls were about an unwanted person being there, among other reasons. And on Aug. 16, a resident of the house, Debbie Saltsgaver, 37, called the police and fire departments about a man setting fire to the house.

According to a Jonesboro police incident report, the house’s kitchen, back porch and a bedroom were completely destroyed. Damage was estimated at $30,000.

John Ellis Sanders is scheduled to have a probable cause hearing today for arson, according to Jonesboro Detective Brian Arnold.

Sanders is currently being held in the Craighead County Detention Center on suspicion of arson.

The fire is just one in a long line of calls involving the residence or those who live there.

On July 17, Saltsgaver and two other non-residents of the house were arrested on suspicion of possession of meth or cocaine less than 2 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On May 22, Saltsgaver and Ruben Rivera, 41, of Bay, were arrested on suspicion of possession of meth or cocaine less than 2 grams and felony and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

On April 5, Saltsgaver, and fellow 523 N. Main St. residents Anthony Welch, 35, and Ty R. Welch, 62, were arrested at the residence on suspicion of possession of meth or cocaine less than 2 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On Feb. 18, Saltsgaver called police about a residential burglary after the house was broken into and a television and toy fourwheeler were stolen.

On Dec. 15, 2021, police arrested Michael Gene Cash, Joshua Lesley and Anthony Welch, all of the house, on suspicion of possession of meth or cocaine, felony and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

On Nov. 3, 2021, four men were arrested after Saltsgaver told police they kicked in the door to the residence and stole a cell phone. The victims are listed as Saltsgaver, Lesley, Ty R. Welch and Octavius McGuire, all residents of the house.

On Sept. 6, 2021, Saltsgaver was again the complainant in a case where a man threatened to kill her and a male victim in the 900 block of Belt Street.

On July 10, 2021, Saltsgaver was the complainant when a 44-yearold woman kicked in the door of the residence.

On June 2, 2021, Saltsgaver called police and said a roommate had physically assaulted her.

On March 16, 2021, four people were arrested at the residence after police found that some had warrants for their arrests and meth and drug paraphernalia was found.

On Oct. 9, 2020, Saltsgaver told Arkansas State University police that she had been kidnapped from the residence by two men.