WASHINGTON COUNTY (KFSM) – One person is dead and two others are hurt after four semis crashed into each other on Interstate 49 in Washington County Wednesday night (Feb. 25).
Troopers with Arkansas State Police said the accident happened in the northbound lanes at the 57 mile marker, near Greenland, just before 10 p.m. after a Volvo semi ran off the road and into the median. The driver, Mark Newswander, 48, of Harrison, Arkansas, then over-corrected causing his semi to overturn and spill ontothe interstate.
A freightliner following him then slowed to avoid crashing into the Volvo truck on its side. That truck was then rear-ended by a Mack truck, which was then rear-ended by a Peterbilt truck.
The driver of the Peterbilt truck, Billy Kramer, from Wisconsin was killed on impact, troopers said. His wife, Irene, was injured.
Newswander was also injured in the accident.
Both Irene Kramer and Newswander were taken to Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville to be treated for their injuries.
The other two drivers involved in the accident were not hurt.
The accident blocked all northbound traffic while authorities worked to clear the scene. All lanes were re-opened overnight.
