Monroe County, AR — March 3, 2025, William Baxter was killed following a car versus tractor accident at approximately 6:30 a.m. along U.S. Highway 79.

According to authorities, an International Harvester was parked partially on the right shoulder of the westbound lane and partially in the lane of travel on U.S. 79 in the vicinity of S.H. 17 when the accident took place.

The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, a collision took place between a westbound Ford Escape—occupied by 85-year-old William Baxter—and the Harvester. Baxter suffered reportedly fatal injuries over the course of the accident. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a vehicle collides with a parked or partially obstructing piece of farm equipment, the key question isn’t just what happened, but why it happened. In my experience handling accident cases, wrecks like this rarely occur without multiple contributing factors that need to be examined.

Why was the Harvester positioned partially in the lane of travel? Vehicles that cannot move under their own power should be removed from the roadway as soon as possible or at least marked clearly to warn approaching drivers. Investigators should determine whether the Harvester was disabled, why it was left in the road, and whether the driver or owner took appropriate precautions.

Was the Harvester properly visible? Farm equipment is often large, slow-moving, and difficult to see, particularly in early morning darkness. If its lights or reflective markings were not functioning or if it blended into the background due to poor lighting, those factors could have contributed to the crash. Investigators should review lighting conditions, vehicle inspection records, and any available dashcam or surveillance footage to assess visibility.

Did the owner of the Harvester take proper safety precautions? Those who operate or leave large machinery near active roadways have a duty to minimize risks to other drivers. If the Harvester’s operator failed to place warning signals, use hazard lights, or make arrangements to move it promptly, those decisions need to be scrutinized. Investigators should examine maintenance records, ownership history, and the actions taken after the Harvester was stopped.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is finding answers. Even if it takes an independent investigation to gather the right evidence, it’s critical to examine every factor to ensure those affected by the crash get the clarity they deserve.