Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – An accident involving two 18-wheelers is blocking traffic at the intersection of Moore Road and CW Post Road in Jonesboro.
According to Sally Smith, public information official for the Jonesboro Police Department, one driver was declared deceased at the scene, and the other was being treated by emergency medical services. The area may be closed for several hours so emergency crews can get some specialty equipment out to clear the scene.
Paul Carter, who was on the scene immediately after the accident, said it appears that the intersection may not have had a visible stop sign. According to Carter, a temporary sign had been posted but it appeared the sign had been knocked over by the wind.
JRN spoke with Denise Hester, an administrative assistant with Jonesboro’s street department, who indicated that the sign was knocked down on Friday. She said it takes three business days for utility crews to identify underground obstructions before the stop sign can be replaced.
When asked how the temporary signs are secured, Hester said that Steve Tippitt, superintendent of the Street Department, would be able to better answer that question. Tippitt was unavailable for comment as of this writing.
According to Carter, both semi-trucks had out-of-state tags, and it’s unclear if they were aware that the intersection required a stop. Carter said it appeared that one truck traveling eastbound on CW Post was struck by the other truck, which was southbound on Moore Road.
Typically, the southbound truck would have come to a complete stop at the intersection as required by the stop sign. However, it’s unclear if the temporary sign was visible to the driver, as it was on its side at the scene of the accident.
Smith advised Jonesboro drivers to avoid the area until the wreck has been cleared.
JRN will provide updates here as they are available.