Two Dead in Fiery Benton County Crash

Two people are dead after a late night crash in Benton County.

Dispatchers with Arkansas State Police say the accident occurred at the Junction of AR-Hwy. 43 and AR-Hwy. 12 around 11:52 p.m. Monday.

According to Arkansas State Police, Donnie Kirby, 51, of Siloam Springs was driving a 2006 Ford F-150 south on AR-Highway 43.

When Kirby arrived at the point where AR-Highway 43 meets AR-Highway 12, he failed to stop at the intersection.

Arkansas State Police say that caused him to crash into a semi driven by James K. Luttrell, 66, of Kansas, Okla., that was traveling westbound on Hwy. 12.

Dispatchers with ASP say both vehicles caught fire when they collided.

Arkansas State Police say both were pronounced dead at the scene by Gentry EMS. 

According to an accident report, both were wearing seat belts at the time of the collision.

The bodies of the two victims were transported to the Benton County Coroner’s Office.

It’s unclear if alcohol played a factor into the crash.