Craighead County, AR — February 6, 2024, John Lewis, David VanWinkle, Timothy Foote were killed and Robert Harris, Donald Williams, David Reading Jr., Jimmy McMullen and Garrett Sorrell were injured in a truck accident at about 5:40 a.m. on U.S. Route 63.

Authorities said a northbound 2016 Ford Transit van crashed head-on with a 2005 Dodge Dakota between Jonesboro and Bono. The van reportedly was transporting contractors working for BNSF Railway.

Dodge driver John Leroy Lewis, 58, died in the crash along with van driver David Lee VanWinkle, 63, and passenger Timothy Collin Foote, 62, according to authorities.

Van passengers Robert Joseph Harris, 35, Donald Zachary Williams, 44, David William Reading Jr., 29, Jimmy Lee McMullen, 35, and Garrett William Sorrell, 34, suffered unspecified injuries in the crash, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary

When two vehicles crash head-on, a critical question is how the two vehicles ended up in each other’s path. In this case, determining what led to the impact will be a key part of the investigation.

One of the first things to examine is whether one of the vehicles crossed the centerline and, if so, why. This crash happened early in the morning, and investigators should consider whether fatigue or distraction may have contributed. Reviewing surveillance footage, witness statements and vehicle data could provide insight into whether one of the drivers drifted or made a last-second maneuver before impact.

Another important factor is the condition of the work van. Vehicles used for contractor transport often experience heavy use, making routine maintenance essential. Investigators should determine whether mechanical failure, such as brake or steering issues, played a role in the crash. Additionally, given that multiple passengers were injured, authorities should confirm whether all proper safety restraints were in use at the time of impact.

Road design could also be relevant. Was this stretch of U.S. 63 a divided highway, or were opposing lanes only separated by markings? If similar crashes have occurred in this area, that may indicate issues with visibility or lane separation that could be relevant to understanding how this wreck occurred.

At this stage, authorities have not provided details on what led to the crash. A full investigation should examine vehicle movements, road conditions and potential mechanical issues to determine the factors that contributed to the collision because the victims' families deserve answers about what happened. If authorities cannot provide those answers, perhaps the family should seek an independent investigation of this crash.