Lake City, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Lake City Mayor Cameron Tate is expressing his apology for the discrepancy in the number of fatalities and injuries reported in a Friday night accident on Highway 18 East of his community.
“I can’t say how sorry I am for making such a tragedy even worse,” Tate wrote in a Facebook post on the City of Lake City, Arkansas Facebook page.
“At the time it all started I had received 37 text(s) and 19 missed calls,” Tate wrote. “On a phone call with KAIT I reported there was a(n) accident with 4-10 involved with possible casualties. At some point I answered “yes” to confirming what was reported by accident.”
KAIT reported that Tate had said four people were killed and ten injured. That report was repeated by other area media, including JonesboroRightNow. Later media reported that there were discrepancies in the numbers reported. Eventually an Arkansas State Police accident report listed the number killed as two and the number injured as five. That story was reported on JRN Sunday night.
“I take full responsibility for this,” Tate wrote. “Moving forward all reports will be directed to Arkansas State Police. I can say how proud I am of Lake City Fire and police departments as you are true heroes. I pray for all the families and first responders for peace from such a horrific tragedy.”