One Killed, at Least 11 Injured After Dust Storm Causes Two Multi-Vehicle Collisions in Arkansas

Sean Breslin
Published: April 11,2016

One person was killed and at least 11 others were injured in a pair of multi-car pileups after a dust storm blew through Arkansas on Sunday. Both crashes occurred in Lawrence County, located northwest of Jonesboro in northeastern Arkansas.
An approaching low-pressure system combined with high pressure to the east, creating the high winds and lowering visibility.
(FORECAST: Severe Weather Threat Returns to Plains, South)
In other areas, large hail fell, accompanied by strong winds. Here are the latest impacts from this system.

Arkansas

A pileup involving at least 12 vehicles was reported Sunday in Lawrence County on Highway 63 just south of Portia, according to KTHV-TV. As many as 11 people were taken to hospitals following the crash, the report added. Officials said all injuries in this pileup were minor, KAIT-TV reported.

Several vehicles collided in a deadly pileup in Lawrence County, Arkansas, on Sunday, April 10, 2016.
(Screenshot via KFVS-TV video)

Highway 63 was closed due to the accident, according to the National Weather Service.
As the dust storm continued to push east, a second pileup was reported near Walnut Ridge just moments later, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette said. Officials confirmed to the Gazette that one person was killed in the crash that involved at least five vehicles, but the victim's identity was not released.
Authorities said there were additional injuries from the second pileup, but they did not specify how many.
Both wrecks were blamed on blowing dust, and several roads in northeastern Arkansas were closed Sunday because of the dangerous conditions, the Gazette added.

Texas

Hail up to tennis ball size was reported 7 miles southeast of Ralls in Crosby County a little after 5 p.m. Sunday evening, the NWS reported.
MORE: Great Lakes, Northeast April Snow