Clark County deputy hurt in wrong-way crash on I-30

A Clark County sheriff’s deputy was hospitalized early Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, after a collision with an 18-wheeler on Interstate 30.

Deputy Fred Phillips was transported to Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia following the crash, which happened in the eastbound lane near the 58 mile-marker south of the Gurdon exit at about 7:10 a.m. Arkansas State Police are investigating the accident. 

Clark County Sheriff Jason Watson said that Phillips suffered non life-threatening injuries.

According to the sheriff, a 911 caller advised dispatchers at 7:01 a.m. of an 18-wheeler driving west in the eastbound lane at the 63 mile-marker. Phillips, who was in the area, relayed that he could see the oncoming truck, then crossed the median and positioned himself on the shoulder, facing eastbound, with lights and sirens on.

Another 911 call was made at 7:10 a.m., this time the emergency being that a police officer’s vehicle had been struck. Watson said he was already en route to the call from the Arkadelphia exit when the accident happened.

Phillips was transported by ambulance to the local hospital, where he was undergoing X-rays.

The driver of the 18-wheeler was not traveling at full speed, Watson said. He was taken into custody at the scene and transported to the Clark County Detention Center for alcohol-related charges.

The accident caused delays for westbound traffic, which according to iDriveArkansas was backed up nearly to the Gurdon exit while authorities cleared the scene. By 9:15 a.m. traffic appeared to have returned to normal.