Two Fatal Crashes Under Investigation in Southwest Arkansas

The Arkansas State Police are investigating two separate fatal crashes that occurred over the past week in Southwest Arkansas, resulting in the deaths of two men in Sevier and Little River counties.

The most recent crash took place just after noon on Tuesday, August 26, in De Queen, where a 72-year-old man lost his life in a two-vehicle collision. According to the Arkansas State Police, Ramon Rico, of De Queen, was driving a 2001 GMC Sierra eastbound on Collin Raye Drive when he reportedly failed to stop at a red light at the intersection near Walmart.

The pickup collided with a 2003 Bounder motorhome traveling south on Highway 71. Rico sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead. His wife, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was injured and transported to Sevier County Medical Center for treatment. Authorities noted cloudy skies and wet road conditions at the time of the crash.

Just days earlier, on Saturday, August 23, another fatal crash occurred on Highway 71 near Little River County Road 23 in Ashdown. According to the preliminary report, Dequintus Dontrell Rhone, 43, of Ogden, was operating a 2019 Yamaha ATV westbound when the vehicle left the roadway and struck a utility pole.

Rhone was ejected from the ATV and was pronounced dead at the scene. State Police indicated that weather conditions were clear and the roadway was dry at the time of the incident.

Both crashes remain under investigation by the Arkansas State Police.