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How Did 5 People Die in Crashes on Arkansas Roads Over 64 Hours?

Published 4 min read By Live Accident Tracker Editorial

Quick answer: Five people, including two pedestrians, were killed in five separate crashes on Arkansas roads over a 64-hour period from Thursday to Saturday (5–7 November 2026), according to preliminary police reports cited by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on 8 November 2026. Three of the deaths happened on Thursday. The victims were Leigh Zanone Scull, 58, Theodore L. Wansley, 74, Ariel Vongvilay, 32, Mary Couch, 55, and Barbara Rackley, 56.

Key facts

  • What: Five separate road crashes in one 64-hour period
  • Where: Arkansas, USA — Crittenden, Searcy, Sebastian, Van Buren and Perry counties
  • When: Thursday to Saturday, 5–7 November 2026; reported 8 November 2026
  • Reported toll: 5 killed, including two pedestrians; no other injuries were reported in the account
  • Emergency number: 911
  • Status: developing — figures from preliminary police reports

*Source: Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette), 8 November 2026 — https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2026/nov/08/five-people-killed-in-crashes-on-arkansas-roads/*

Thursday: three deaths in one day

### Hit-and-run in Crittenden County Leigh Zanone Scull, 58, of Hughes, was walking north on the west shoulder of Arkansas 141 in Crittenden County at about 2:13 p.m. on Thursday when an unknown vehicle struck her and left the scene. Police described the incident as a hit-and-run, and no vehicle or driver had been identified in the report.

Two-vehicle crash in Searcy County

Less than an hour later, Theodore L. Wansley, 74, of St. Joe, was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Searcy County. He was driving a 2000 Ford F-250 and had left a parking lot to head south on U.S. 65 when he entered the path of a Peterbilt truck and was struck. The Peterbilt driver was not injured.

Pedestrian killed in Sebastian County

About four hours later, Ariel Vongvilay, 32, of Fort Smith, was killed while walking across Towson Avenue in Sebastian County. He was struck by a 2015 Jeep Cherokee at about 7:11 p.m. on Thursday.

Friday: single-car crash in Van Buren County

Mary Couch, 55, of Heber Springs, died in a single-car wreck on Friday afternoon in Van Buren County. She was driving a 2024 Subaru Forester east on Arkansas 124 at about 3:20 p.m. when the car crossed the centre line, left the road, hit a tree, became airborne, struck a second tree and overturned. The road was dry and the weather was clear, according to the preliminary report.

Saturday: single-car crash in Perry County

Barbara Rackley, 56, of Bigelow, was killed in a single-car crash on Saturday morning in Perry County. She was driving a 2006 Jeep Laredo north on Arkansas 9 in Perryville at about 6:12 a.m. when the vehicle ran off the right-hand side of the road, crossed back over, entered the westbound ditch, struck a guardrail and overturned. The weather was clear and the road was dry, according to the preliminary report.

What the reports show so far

The five deaths came in five separate crashes rather than a single incident, and they were spread across five counties. Two of the five people killed were pedestrians, and one of the deaths was a hit-and-run in which the vehicle left the scene. In the two single-car crashes, the preliminary reports noted dry roads and clear weather.

All five cases were based on preliminary police reports, so the details may be updated as the investigations continue. The report did not say whether any charges had been brought in connection with any of the crashes.

Road safety in Arkansas: the numbers

  • Arkansas recorded 603 motor vehicle crash deaths in 2024 — 19.5 per 100,000 people, rank #2 of 51 US states.
  • The United States loses a WHO-estimated 119 people every day on its roads, so a single event killing 5 people is a significant multiple of the daily toll.
  • United States has a WHO-estimated 12.8 road deaths per 100,000 people — below the global average of 17.5 per 100,000.

If you drive on routes like this

  • Slow down in unfamiliar conditions: every 1% of extra speed raises fatal-crash risk about 4%.
  • Never assume the other vehicle sees you at night or in rain — drive as if it doesn't.
  • On two-lane roads, treat every overtake as the highest-risk moment of the trip.
  • Wear the seatbelt in every seat; rear belts save lives in head-on impacts.
  • Know the local emergency number before you travel — our emergency numbers directory lists the numbers for every country.

Frequently asked questions

### How many people died on Arkansas roads in the 64-hour period? Five people died in five separate crashes across Arkansas from Thursday to Saturday (5–7 November 2026), according to preliminary police reports cited by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on 8 November 2026.

Where did the crashes happen?

In five counties: Crittenden County (Arkansas 141), Searcy County (U.S. 65), Sebastian County (Towson Avenue), Van Buren County (Arkansas 124) and Perry County (Arkansas 9 in Perryville).

Who were the victims?

Leigh Zanone Scull, 58, of Hughes; Theodore L. Wansley, 74, of St. Joe; Ariel Vongvilay, 32, of Fort Smith; Mary Couch, 55, of Heber Springs; and Barbara Rackley, 56, of Bigelow. Two of the five were pedestrians.

Was the hit-and-run driver found?

The report described the Crittenden County crash as a hit-and-run and said an unknown vehicle struck Leigh Zanone Scull and left the scene. No driver or vehicle had been identified in the report.

What is the emergency number in the United States?

Dial 911. From most GSM mobile phones, 112 also reaches local emergency services.

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