A three vehicle accident on Hwy 63 near Lawrence 703 on Thursday evening has claimed the life of a 10 year old child and injured several other individuals . At 5:16pm the crash occurred on Hwy 63 closing traffic for a lengthy period.
Two medical helicopters and several ambulances responded to the scene along with Walnut Ridge Fire, Walnut Ridge Police, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputies and Arkansas State Police.
According to the Arkansas State Police report a 2009 Nissan Maxima traveling south on Hwy 63 driven by Matthew Simmons, age 36 of Walnut Ridge was traveling behind a 2010 GMC pickup in the inside left traffic lane when a 2000 Dodge Durango traveling northbound driven by Eddie Hampton of Walnut Ridge was entering the center turn lane.
The 2009 Nisan Maxima passed the 2010 GMC pickup in the outside right traffic lane, as the 2009 Nissan began to merge into the left inside lane the left rear of the 2009 Nissan struck the right front of the 2010 GMC pickup.
The 2009 Nissan then slid sideways into the turn lane when the right rear of the 2009 Nissan hit the front of of the 2000 Dodge Durango causing the 2009 Nissan to overturn and come to rest in the northbound ditch.
The driver of the 2009 Nissan Maxima identified as Matthew Simmons, age 36 was listed as injured along with Nicky Ivy, age 31 of Walnut Ridge and a minor, age 11 who was not identified by Arkansas State Police. A 10 year old minor passenger in the vehicle was listed as deceased in the report.
Also injured in the accident was Eddie Hampton of Walnut Ridge, the driver of the 2000 Dodge Durango.
The driver of the 2010 GMC was not identified in the Arkansas State Police report.
The accident was investigated by the Arkansas State Police.
