August « 2011 « Rainwater, Holt & Sexton

Archive for August, 2011

Aug

BAT Mobile in use with Arkansas State Troopers

August 29, 2011

While the caped crusader may not be behind the wheel, Arkansas State Troopers now have a BAT Mobile and the new vehicle is as tricked-out with crime fighting gadgets as you may imagine. An article by FOX 16 states troopers will use the mobile breath alcohol testing unit at sobriety checkpoints throughout the state.

The 42-foot long, $193,000 converted truck was made possible by a grant from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration as part of its national campaign to combat drunk driving. The government will disburse more than $14 million in these grants nationwide.

The BAT mobile can act as a mobile command center and testing site for impaired drivers at sobriety checkpoints. This will allow for faster and more accurate processing of test results in drunk driving cases. It will also serve as an educational tool making appearances with law enforcement at events across the state.

The unit was put into action at a checkpoint over the weekend and will continue to make appearances on central Arkansas roads throughout Labor Day weekend.

The Arkansas Auto Accident Attorneys with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton encourage drivers to use a designated driver when alcohol will be a part of your plans as the summer ends. It is a decision that could save your life, or the life of another. If you have been injured because of a drunk driver’s negligence, contact our team of attorneys now for a free consultation of your case.

Aug

Arkansas City Man Injured in Head-On Collision

August 15, 2011

An Arkansas City, Arkansas, man is in the hospital recovering from neck surgery following a Friday night car crash near the Native Lights Casino. According to an article released by the Arkansas City Traveler, the 53-year-old victim’s wife stated that doctors and nurses have said he is ahead of the recovery curve by already walking.

The accident occurred along US 77, when the 1995 Ford Escort the victim was driving northbound collided head-on with a southbound vehicle after it crossed the center line. The victim was transported to Via Christi Medical Center-St. Francis Campus in Wichita, Kansas, after doctors at the South Central Kansas Medical Center determined they did not have the means to care for him.

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), most crossover traffic accidents occur because of drowsy or distracted driving, followed by medical emergencies. Those that do survive these crashes are often left with severe injuries to the neck and spine, similar to the victim in the story above. These types of injuries can sometimes require numerous surgeries and life-long care.

If you have been injured in an accident because a negligent driver crossed the center line on the road, the Arkansas Car Accident Lawyers with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton may be able to help you. You may be eligible for compensation for expenses such as doctor and hospital bills for care and surgery, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages. Contact them to discuss your case now.

Aug

Dump truck hits car, crashes into buildings in NLR

An accident involving a dump truck has been reported on JFK and D Street in North Little Rock.

The dump truck was headed south bound on JFK when it ran a red light and hit a Jeep Cherokee. The truck then drove through the Bridal Cottage and into an empty building next door.

The driver of the Jeep has been transported to a local hospital, along with her two children. The status of the dump truck driver is not yet known.

Aug

Head On Collision Closes Hwy 165

KEO, AR – A head-on collision involving a tanker truck and a pickup truck shut down Highway 165 in both directions between Scott and Keo for several hours Tuesday afternoon.

Arkansas State Police said that both drivers in the accident had to be extricated from their vehicles. ASP says the tanker truck driver had very serious injuries. The tanker tuck was an Arkansas County coop tanker carrying diesel fuel for farms. Hazmat trucks did respond to the accident.

A funeral home van was on the scene of the accident, however, ASP would not comment about the possibility of any fatalities.

Aug

Tyson Foods truck driver pinned between 2 trailers killed in accident outside Arkansas plant

According to the Washington Post:

A Tyson Foods truck driver was killed after being pinned between two truck trailers outside the company’s Springdale plant, Arkansas police said Thursday.

Merrill Reynolds, 50, was pinned between the back of his truck’s trailer and another trailer outside of Tyson’s Berry Street plant at about 11 p.m. Wednesday, police said. Authorities are investigating how Reynolds ended up between the trailers.

Aug

Truck Driver Crushed To Death In Lot Of Arkansas Processing Plant

August 8, 2011

A truck driver working for the meat giant, Tyson Foods, was killed last Wednesday on the lot of the company’s Berry Street plant in Springdale, Arkansas. According to Fox 16 News, the 50-year-old driver was found pinned between the back of his truck’s trailer and another trailer around 11:00 PM.

The detective in charge of the case for the Springdale Police Department, Lt. Kevin Lewis, said that when an employee found the driver pinned between the two trailers and tried to move the front unit forward, he noticed the brakes had not been properly set. Local authorities, along with federal officials and Tyson, are investigating the incident to determine exactly what happened.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) spokesperson, Juan Rodriguez, stated the agency had began an investigation into the incident and it could take OSHA up to six months to full complete the investigation. OSHA has jurisdiction over off-highway loading and unloading of big trucks and has very stringent guidelines as to what plants must do in order to stay in compliance with the regulations of loading and unloading a truck.

The Big Truck Accident Attorneys with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton understand the numerous regulations in place on the trucking industry, and they have successfully handled cases for drivers who have been injured in accidents both on and off the road. Contact them immediately for a confidential and free consultation of your case to see what they can do for you.

Aug

Arkansas Boy Hit and Killed by Car While Riding Scooter

August 1, 2011

A 13-year-old boy was killed after being struck by a car while riding scooters with a friend in Fort Smith, Arkansas. According to 4029tv.com, the accident occurred on Meandering Way, around 6:45 PM Sunday evening.

The driver involved in the crash told investigators he was traveling south when the two boys ran through a stop sign at an intersection in the road. He said he did not see the boys until it was too late, and was unable to stop his Saturn SUV in time. The boy was transported to St. Edward Mercy Medical Center, and was pronounced dead at approximately 9 PM.

There are several ways parents can keep their children safe while riding scooters:

Always Wear A Helmet And Safety Gear- In most places, this is required by law; it could eliminate up to 2/3 of injuries resulting from a crash.
Always Supervise Children Under Eight- 1/3 of all scooter accidents involve children in this age category. Children at this age may not have the strength, coordination, and judgment needed to handle a scooter alone.
Obey The Rules of the Road- Scooter riders must obey the same rules as bikers, including stopping at all stop signs and red lights, signaling turns, and obeying traffic signs.
Do Not Ride A Scooter At Night- Cars cannot see you!

The Arkansas Personal Injury Attorneys with Rainwater, Holt & Sexton encourage parents to keep children safe by teaching them to follow these simple rules when on their bike, scooters, or skateboards.