5 killed when school van pulls in front of big rig on Arkansas highway, cops say

Five people are dead and another five injured after a semi truck crashed into the side of a passenger van in southeastern Arkansas on Monday, June 6, officials say.

The van was heading to C.B. King Memorial, an adult education school in Arkansas City, news outlets reported.

Around 2:45 p.m. local time, the van driver attempted to turn off of AR-35 and onto US Highway 65, but “failed to yield” to a big rig traveling south, according to an Arkansas State Police crash report.

The 18-wheeler slammed into the right side of the van with enough force that both vehicles careened off of the road together, coming to a stop on the west side of Highway 65.

At least 9 people were on the van, ranging in age from 18 to 73, the crash report says. Five were killed and four were injured.

The driver of the 18-wheeler also survived with injuries, the report said.

It’s not clear what condition the injured are in.

“Our C B King Family is hurting tonight. We don’t have the words right now to express our pain,” Lora Medina, director of programs at the school, said in a Facebook post. “The Adult Center in Arkansas City will be closed for now as we process what has happened. Your prayers are coveted and greatly appreciated. Pray God’s strength and healing for the clients, their families and our staff and administrators.”

This story was originally published June 7, 2022 at 11:04 AM with the headline "5 killed when school van pulls in front of big rig on Arkansas highway, cops say."