Bryant, Ark- Arkansas State Police have confirmed that there were two fatalities in an accident on I-30 early Wednesday morning.
The accident occurred on I-30 near the Reynolds Road exit in Bryant. Multiple vehicles were involved including a Bryant police car.
An 18-wheeler then veered from its lane and struck both the patrol car and the vehicle that had been stopped by the officer.
State Police say the collision caused the 18-wheeler and the vehicle to catch fire.
According to State Police, 23-year-old UAPB students Adriana Greenwood of Point Black, Texas and Treylin Cranford, 19, of Little Rock were in the stopped vehicle and died in the crash.
Andre Harris, 19, a passenger in the vehicle from Point Black, Texas, was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Police say Officer Seth Wakefield with the Bryant Police Department was conducting a traffic stop around 2:05 a.m. on Interstate 30 near exit 123
The driver of the 18-wheeler, 37 year old Roshannon Dunnigan, was also taken to Saline Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Officer Wakefield sustained non-life threatening injuries. He was treated at a hospital and was later released.
“Our officer is okay but we are just deeply saddened at the loss of life here. There are no words,” said Sgt. Todd Crowson with Bryant police.
Crowson stressed all precautions were taken to ensure a safely conducted traffic stop.
“All the emergency equipment was turned on — light even their take down lights all that stuff was turned on. They do that for the safety of the officer and for the vehicle they’re pulling over. All the precautions were taken,” Crowson said.
Conditions were clear and dry at the time of the crash.
FedEx Ground released a statement in regard to the accident: “First and foremost we extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the individuals involved in this incident. Safety is our highest priority and we are cooperating fully with the investigating authorities at this time.”
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Chancellor Laurence B. Alexander expressed his condolences in the passing of Greenwood and Cranford, who were students at the school, according to a press release from the university.
He says he h
as reached out to family members of both students to express the love and support our UAPB family shares with them during this trying time.
The release says counselors will be available to students, faculty, and staff for those experiencing anguish and distress over this tremendous loss.
According to a press release, police say it happened when a semi truck veered out of it’s lane and hit a car that was stopped by a Bryant police officer.
An officer was also injured in the accident. There is no word on the extent of the officer’s injuries.
The names of the victims have not yet been released, and the accident has turned into a criminal investigation.
