Monticello Live

According to Monticello Mayor Jason Akers, the City of Monticello has seen a 46% reduction of traffic accidents. 

The Mayor attributes the reduction to a focused effort by the City to address Monticello’s formerly high rate of traffic accidents. In 2019, there were 475 traffic accidents within the city limits. 2024 numbers show a reduction of 218 accidents since that time. 

“That’s 218 fewer chances for our loved ones to get hurt.”

In addition to safer streets, the reduction in accidents also means an estimated 3.2 million fewer dollars in claims filed. MPD has also saved countless man hours from working accidents and paperwork associated with accidents. 

According to the Mayor, “The most significant benefit is the reduction of injuries to our citizens. The safety of our community is priority one”. 

Traffic control devices such as speed bumps and signage, striping streets and law enforcement efforts are all proven methods to reduce accidents. 

Friday morning, at approximately 6:15 AM, Drake Woods, age, 19 of Monticello, lost his life in a single vehicle crash in Lincoln County, on Highway 425.

According to ASP, Woods’Dodge Ram exited the roadway on the left and drove across the concrete bridge rail, before becoming airborne and overturning, coming to rest on its passenger side.

Tuesday, around 10:24 AM, Lacey Reed Morgan, age 27 of Monticello, was a passenger in a Ford F150 pick up, that was attempting to park on the southbound shoulder of the 3600 block  of Highway 425, near two other vehicles, a Toyota pick up and a Chrysler sedan. (more…)

Around 4:30 pm, New Year’s Day, the driver of this Acura lost control of their vehicle while traveling on Oakland Street, near Gabbert.

The impact from the car caused the power pole to snap, wrapping the car with electric wires.

After officers from MPD arrived, the driver fled the scene on foot, and was quickly apprehended, and faces multiple charges pertaining to the wreck.

Around 10 AM, Saturday morning, the driver of this Toyota Sequoia lost control of his westbound vehicle on E. Oakland St.

The vehicle hit several obstacles, including a power pole, before coming to rest on its side.

Monticello firefighters, MPD, MASI, and Rangel Towing responded.

Power to the northern half of Monticello was knocked out, due to the accident.

At 10:47, Sunday morning, police dispatch was notified of a two vehicle collision at the intersection of Midway Route and Highway 278 Bypass.

Reports indicate that a Honda CRV was northbound on Midway Route and a Chevy Tahoe was westbound on the bypass.  It seems the Honda failed to yield right away, causing the Tahoe to hit the Honda in the passenger door.

The deceased was pronounced at the scene. Two injured victims were transported to Baptist Drew and JRMC.

Arkansas State Police worked the crash scene.

At approximately 6:30 PM, Monday evening, two vehicles had a collision on highway 425 North at Hyatt Street.

The vehicles were a GMC Terrain and a Mercury Grand Marquis.

MPD, DCSO, ASP, and MASI responded.

Reggie’s Wrecker and Rangel Towing removed the vehicles.

No injuries were reported at the scene.

At 8:45 AM, Thursday morning, the driver of this westbound Nissan Frontier lost control of their vehicle, as they veered off the north shoulder of the road and rolled, after crossing a driveway, in the 2100 area of Highway 278 W., near Wilmar.

DCSO, OEM, Monticello firefighters, and Reggie‘s Wrecker responded.

MASI transported one victim to Baptist Drew for medical treatment.

Around 6:20, this morning, there was a two vehicle collision at the intersection of Highway 425 N. and Barkada Road.

Indications at the scene imply that a Chevy truck was eastbound across Highway 425 north, when it collided with the front of a northbound 18 wheel tractor trailer.

The big rig came to arrest in the highway, the Chevy, collided with the front door area of the Outdoor Store.

ASP, MPD, SEEMS, responded, and wreckers have been paged.

No injuries have been reported.

This Toyota pick up was involved in a single vehicle rollover accident while exiting the Take 5 oil change across from Walmart on Highway 425, Saturday evening at approximately 6:40.

MPD responded.

No injuries were reported.

At noon, Friday, there was a two car crash at the intersection of 530 and Barkada Road.

Vehicles involved included a Toyota sedan and a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

DCSO, OEM, MASI, Reggie’s and Rangel Towing responded.

At 12:05, Friday afternoon, this Chevy SUV was involved in a single vehicle rollover accident near the 600 block of Highway 133, north of Wilmar.

ASP, DCSO, OEM, SEEMS, and Rangel Towing responded.

Around 11:15 AM, Friday morning, there is a two car crash at the intersection of N. Hyatt St., and Highway 35 West.

The vehicles involved were a Ford SUV and a Chevy pick up.

DCSO, ASP, and OEM, responded.

MASI transported 2 victims to the hospital.

Reggie’s and Rangel Wreckers cleared the highway.

At approximately 1143, Friday morning, a big truck and a Ford Taurus collided in front of Burger King on Highway 425 south.

MPD directed the midday traffic through the congestion, as Big Wrecker, and Reggies Towing responded to clear the roadway.

MASI responded and transported one victim north.

Drew County OEM was also on the scene.

At approximately 7:25, Monday night, two people were injured as the vehicle shown here was traveling north on Shelton Street between Old Dermott Road and Jackson Street.

MPD and SEEMS responded, and family members removed the vehicle from the scene.

Highway 35 W.,  near the Hunger Run area was partially blocked, Thursday around noon, due to a log truck wreck.

DCSO responded, the driver was taken to the hospital for injuries from the crash.

At 4:10 PM, Sunday afternoon, Monticello dispatch was notified of a collision at Montongo on Highway 425 N.

A Honda SUV and a Ford F150 pick up were involved.

Two victims were transported to Baptist drew by MASI.

DCSO, ASP, Reggie and Rangel Wreckers responded.

Monticello Fire and Rescue was dispatched, but their call was canceled. Some still responded.

At 3:38 PM, Friday afternoon, there was a minor traffic accident involving a Monticello school bus and a tractor trailer, north of Walmart.

MPD and Monticello school officials quickly responded, and confirmed that there were no damage and no injuries.

Monday afternoon, at approximately 3:20 PM, there was a two vehicle collision in the intersection of Highway 278 Eastbound, where it emerges into Highway 425 south.

Vehicles involved were a Jaguar and a Chevy Trailblazer.

No injuries were reported. MPD and Rangel Wrecker responded.

Around 3:05, Monday afternoon, the driver of this F150 Ford pick up came out of the west corner store, on 278, and found his truck across the highway in a ditch, from where he had left it running.

It is believed the truck slipped back into reverse gear, backing across the highway, while miraculously, avoiding oncoming traffic, before coming to a stop in the westbound ditch.

Obviously, no injuries were reported.

At approximately 4:30, Friday morning, an 18-year-old Monticello man lost his life in a single vehicle accident, near the Drew/Cleveland County line, on Highway 35 W.

The deceased was identified as Cadyn Clark Haddox.

According to ASP reports, his 2007 Lexus was traveling northbound when he lost control while negotiating a right handed curve. The vehicle left the roadway and collided with a tree, before overturning on its top.

An 18-year-old passenger was transported to Baptist Drew by local ambulance, but survived the crash.

At 8:22 AM, Thursday morning, two Toyota vehicles, a RAV4 and a Highlander, collided with each other, approximately 5 miles from town.

DCSO and SEEMS quickly responded to the crash site.

SEEMS transportes 2 victims to the hospital.

Rangel and Reggie‘s Wreckers removed the vehicles.

At 9 PM, Thursday evening, Monticello firefighters and Drew County deputies responded to a GMC Arcadia wreck near Carpenter Road, where the vehicle had overturned.

Two victims were trapped inside GMC, but neither appeared to have injuries, according to firefighters on the scene.

Photos courtesy of the firefighters.

At approximately 5:30 PM, Monday evening, the driver of this GMC Sierra pick up truck lost control of his vehicle, veering off of West Gaines, while traveling, eastbound, striking a power pole, coming to rest in the yard of an apartment complex.

MPD, DCSO, SEEMS, and Rangel Towing responded to the crash.

SEEMS transported the driver to Baptist Drew for further care.

The cracked pole was reported to Entergy, and is expected to be repaired in the near future.

Around 10:30 AM, Friday, Monticello firefighters, along with OEM and Drew County deputies were notified of a chip truck rollover at the Tillar turnoff, Highway 277/278.

Two patients were transported to the hospital, from the single vehicle accident, which took approximately four hours to clean up the crash site.

Minutes before 9 AM, the driver of a Chevrolet Z 71 was northbound on Highway 425 south, south of Patriot truckstop, when he lost control of his vehicle and veered off the right shoulder.

The truck struck a driveway, became airborne, and flipped, into the northbound ditch, coming to rest upside down.

MPD, DCSO, ASP, OEM, fire & rescue, and SEEMS responded to the crash scene.

The driver was transported to Baptist Health, Drew County.

Reggie’s Wrecker removed the Chevy.

Friday at 7:30 PM, there was a two car crash at Corner Store West, involving a Chevy pick up and a Honda Accord.

MPD, DCSO, ASP, and MASI responded.

Reggies and Rangel Wreckers cleared the highway.

A few minutes before 11 AM, Friday morning, the driver of this loaded 18 wheeler box truck veered too far towards the shoulder on Wilson Mill Road, near its intersection with Highway 425 south.

DCSO, MPD, and big Wrecker responded to clear the roadway. The driver was taken to Baptist-Drew.

Around 10:30 AM, Monday morning, the driver of a Lincoln Town Car attempted to pass an ARDOT truck, working to repair potholes on Highway 83 N., between Garnett Road and Jose Chapel Road, and collided with the work truck’s front left wheel area, according to sources at the scene.

Both vehicles were headed towards Monticello.

One driver was transported to Baptist Drew by POV.

Reggie‘s Wrecker removed the Lincoln.

DCSO and OEM responded.

At approximately 8:30, Thursday morning, there was a single vehicle accident at the intersection of Highway 83 south in Jordan Drive.

MPD, ASP, OEM, and SEEMS responded.

No other details are available.

Wednesday afternoon at 1:40 PM, there was a two car collision on Highway 425 south at the 278 bypass intersection.

Sources at the scene indicated that the driver of a red Chevy Silverado was attempting to turn from the bypass, south, onto Highway 425, when it was struck by a northbound Nissan Sentra.

After veering to the left to miss the pick up, as much as possible, the Sentra crossed into a deep ditch ravine, and was lodged above a running creek and fiber optic line.

SEEMS and MASI responded, each working with the separate vehicles involved.

Reggie’s Wrecker towed the Chevy.  Rangel Towing was called for the Nissan, but required Big Wrecker, to lift the car above the fiber optic line, to prevent doing any damage to the endangered cable.

The Drew County Sheriff and deputies responded, along with OEM and ASP.

Traffic was rerouted for approximately 30 minutes, during the cleanup.

At approximately 6:30, Sunday afternoon, there was a two vehicle collision at the intersection of 425 and 278, that required MPD, DCSO, MASI and SEEMS.

Vehicles involved were a Lincoln aviator and a Toyota Prius.

Three ambulances were seen at the crash site, implying multiple victims were injured.

Reggie’s and Rangel removed the vehicles.

Minutes after 6 AM, Monticello dispatch received a call, reporting a two truck collision, approximately 2 miles west of the Monticello city limits, on Highway 278 West.

Drew County deputies responded, along with Reggie’s Wrecker, who removed the Ford from the area.

Vehicles involved included an eastbound Ford F150 pick up, which collided with the side of the westbound work truck, before the Ford crossed the westbound lane and entered the tree line, completely.

No injuries were reported at the scene.

It was misting rain at the time.

At 11:45, a.m., Tuesday morning, MPD, DCSO, and MASI responded to a two car collision at the intersection of N. Hyatt St. and Highway 35 W.

The two vehicles were a Hyundai Elantra and a Dodge Caliber.

The accident occurred when the southbound vehicle on old Highway 13, across from Hyatt Street, failed to yield and pull in front of the eastbound vehicle, on Highway 35.

Rangel and Rods Wrecker, removed the vehicles.

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