Local Man Killed When Motorcycle Hits Truck, Monday Night
March 10th, 2009 by Joe Burgess
At approximately 7:23 Monday evening, Derrick Johnson, age 34 of Wilmar, was traveling east on HWY 278, 1/2 mile west of the Monticello city limits, when he came up behind a 1995 Dodge pick up, being driven by a Monticello man, and struck right rear of the truck at a high rate of speed.
Johnson and his 2008 Kawasaki came to rest in the ditch on the south side of the highway. The Dodge pulled over on the shoulder, after the impact.
Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the truck, and his 2 year old passenger, were transported to Drew Memorial Hospital by private vehicle.
Johnson was not wearing a helmet.
Tommy’s Wrecker removed the motorcycle from the scene. The truck was not towed.
Arkansas State Trooper Clayton Moss worked the accident scene. Monticello Police Dept. and the Drew County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
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I will never understand why its a law in Arkansas that you have to wear a seat belt in your car but you can ride a motor cycle without a helmet. Doesnt make any sense.
my heart goes out the johnson and woodard family derreck was a really good young man
sad news” derrick was one of a kind”but a sweet nice young man. very smart and well repect to all. our heart and prayers go out to the family and friends of this love one,,as we all known as d.j ”god bless and be with you all.
derreck,is my cousion i will miss him.I’m so greatful for the time we had when he came to see me new years.he & KENRICK CHAVIS, my son had good old time he was here 5 days we talk about old times.little did i know i wouldn’t see him again.
THERESA CHAVIS
KENRICK CHAVIS
KENNY R. DUNLAP
OF ARLINGTON TX
Derrick Johnson graduated high school same year as me,dang,his best friend gonna have a stroke when he finds this out
Derrick was a very special man in my life. I will miss him more than anyone will ever know. He was more than a friend to me. I love him with all my heart. Special prayers and well wishes go out to family and friends. Thanks for all of the calls and words of encouragement.
In response to WH, My aunt and uncle were killed on a motorcycle in 1970, two years before I was born. At that time, it was your choice to wear a helmet or not. I’m like you on this. You would think since accidents on motorcycles are so common, and people being seriously injured or killed because of little protection, a law that we once had that made helmets mandatory, and was done away with for some reason, should be passed again. WH, yes you are right. Just like seatbelts, helmets should be placed back into law.
To the family of Derrick Johnson, even though I didn’t know Derrick, I want to extend my deepest sympathy to you all. You will be in my prayers, and I know you will have all the love and comfort you need to bring you through your time of great sorrow. I know God will not leave your side and you’ll be touched by his presence and his love.
THIS IS VERY SAD NEWS I HAD JUST TALK TO DJ ABOUT THIS BIKE AND ASK HIM TO BE CAREFUL HE SAID THAT I WILL CUZ AND NOW I’M READING ABOUT HIM AND I’M VERY HURT BECAUSE DJ WAS SO NICE TO EVERYONE AND TO GO TO WILMAR AND NOT SEE HIS FACE IS VERY PAINFUL. I LOVE YOU DJ AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART. GOD BLESS!
This is very sad to here such a young life has been taken. prayers go out for all the families involved. God Bless You.
MY HEART GOES OUT TO THIS MANS FAMILY BECAUSE OF THEIR TRAGEDY ITS ACCIDENTS LIKE THESE THAT REALLY OPEN THE EYES OF PEOPLE WHO THINK THIS WONT HAPPEN TO THEM BECAUSE WE ARE NEVER GUARANTEED TO LIVE UNTIL WE ARE 90 YEARS OLD THE LORD COULD CALL US HOME AT ANYTIME REMEMBER THAT.
OUR PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY OF MR. DERRICK JOHNSON. MAY GOD SEND HIS ANGELS TO COMFORT YOU AT THIS TIME. LOVE, MARCHELL LEONARD-SMITH
To the Johnson and Woodard Family
My prayers are with you all. May the Love of God keep you all strong and the strengh of family keep you together. No one knows the day nor hour the Lord will call us home. Peace be with you always. Johnny stay strong.
Felicia Shorter, Atlanta, GA via Wilmar, AR
this is derrick johnson nieces…thanks for all the love and support. we just wanted yall to know that our family is doing ohk! may god bless yall
To the Johnson and Woodard Family,
May God bless you and see you through this trying time;I was very sadden to hear of your loss. My heart and prayers go out to you. May God cradle you in the comfort of His hands. Although the greiving is a painful process; remember it’s not one you will face alone… God is forever with you.
In His Love,
Bobbie Jean McNairy-Davis, Houston, TX by way of Wilmar, AR
I will echo everything that has been said about Derrick.We often talked in Walmart, with him saying how is it going Rev? Such a wonderful younf mn with so much mor to offer . In the end God decided his fate.
We cannot ,nor will we understan why Godmakes the decisions he does. We must focus on being ready for this day. We know not the hour, or the second in whince He shall return.
Derrick as much as it hurts, he is gone away from this sinful world to to be with the Lord. In his passing from this place to another. he left us a message. “Be ye also ready, for you know not the hour in whince he cometh”
Even tho he has Left many to mourn his passing, eppecially his relatives that are members of the Mt.Tabor Baptist Church in Wilmar. WE MUST REMEMBER God is still in control!
Learn fromDerrick, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, for this day will surely come to us all. prepare SPIRITUALY, GET YOU BUSINESS FIXED WITH God, And by all means make arrangements with the funeral home while you are still yet alive. Spare the family the grief of trying to do the things that you thought they would be please with.
It is one thingto grievethe lost of a loved one, but it is another to try and make all those final decisions for the burial. I know your thought process after loosing a loved one is nother burden to get things .done.
I want to challenge everyone today to visit the funeral and make preparation
for this day. You will not understnd why things havehappen as they did, but during the greving process you will be glad that you took care of a pre-arranged funeral
Greving the lost of a loved one is painful enough, why wait knowing that death is coming to all of us, and when it comes most of us have to rely on someone eles to help us make those final arrangemet. Although it hurts me so, I must still cling to Jesus, even tho I dont understand, because I KNOW THATWE WILL UNDERSTAND IT BETTER BY AND BY.
TO BARRY AND DELORIS WOODARD AND THE REST OF THE WOODARD AND JOHNSON FAMILY,FIRST OF ALL PUT GOD FIRST AND BE STRONG BECAUSE I KNOW YALL PLAYED A BIG PART IN HIS LIFE…HOLD YOUR HEAD UP BECAUSE YOU KNOW DERRICK WOULDNT WANT IT NO OTHER WAY….MAY GOD BLESS AND WE WILL KEEP YALL IN OUR PRAYERS…LOVE YALL
To the Johnson Family, I would like to offer my deepest sympathy.
May God give you the strength to carry on. I will keep you all in my prayers.
May GOD keep you and Bless you.
First of all, I would like to say God is good. Eventhough this is a dark hour in many of our lives, yet there is still light and something that the Lord wants us to take from this moment.
My prayers goes out to all my family and friends that have been tragically hurt from this event.
Derrick, DJ, Danky: we started out together every since kindergarden. Words will never ever be able to express the deep emotions that I feel for my cousin. We were like brothers. I hate that things had to end so abruptly and in this way, but Derrick will be remembered on in our hearts and minds.
Derrick I love you man with all my heart. I going to miss you on this side, but I am going to be looking for you on the otherside.
Love,
Boo
Johnny my heart goes out to you as I sit and think about the people we have lost in the past few years. As we all know God does things for a reason and we are not to question what God does. Keep your strength and stay strong. I love you, your cousin, Cynthia.
hold on this is the family and friend of the baby that was in the truck
we are glad that he is alright he will b 2 on april 3
bye we love jondaruis raun hampton 4-life peace
Our prayers are with the Woodard and Johnson Family. Derick and I always shared laughs whether I saw him in Spokane or Wilmar. He will be missed.
Ryan Jones and Family
Seattle, WA
We love you and will miss you cousin
I remember D.J. when I was growing up and I use to come to my grandparents house (James and Christine Riley). My Uncle Corey and D.J. were good friends. It so sad to see and hear about tragedy’s like this because you don’t have time to prepare and the unexpected really hurts. Two years ago my family had to go through the same hard trial when my Uncle Enow was hit and killed while looking in the trunk of his car. The feeling is ?????????? meaning no words can describe it. Only God alone can get you through this hard time so always depend on him even when things are bright. May God bless the Johnson and Woodard family.
I love you and miss you….you were my strength.
miss you.
I am living life the best I can I will never regret the time that we shared I just regret the pain I have…I wish I could of said I am sorry :(
I have a beautiful 10 year old daughter by Derrick and she ask’s about him from time to time and want’s to see a picture but I have none. Derrick and I wernt on good terms and I hadnt spoken to him in over a year before he passed. I had always hoped that when she got older they could spend time togther. She still wants a picture of her daddy, still gets sad and cries because she didnt know him. I know he had other children by different women and I would like for her to at some point meet them. I know it’s a lot to ask and I dont expect anything. If she could have a picture that would be wonderful. If a member of wither the Johnson family or the Woodard family has a photo they can email or mail or we can even pick up please let me know. I understand this isnt the best way to ask, just not sure of any other.
i didnt realy know him, i wish i had. from what i read he was a good guy,i belive it too. i should have known him because hes my dad. all i know is he didnt deserve this. befor he passed he asked me to come live with him of course i wanted too but i could’nt. i just hope the people he spent his last hours with him showed him a good time..:( R.I.P DADDY I MISS YOU.. <3ELISSA<3.
I’m Amaya and Derrick is may dad and i have no pictures and no memories. I just wish that someone could and would email or mail a picture so I atleast have something. I know it’s alot to ask for but it’s something I have been wishing for a long time and it hurts know knowing what he looks like, who he was or anything. Please anything would help. Any help would be amazing.
Amaya.
10 years to the day
And I’m still feeling the pain
RIP