Jonathan Gary Williams Obituary, Death – Three people were killed and several others injured in a series of crashes early Monday morning, July 21, along westbound Interstate 30 between Hope and Fulton, Arkansas. The Arkansas State Police (ASP) have identified the victims and are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding each incident.
The first crash occurred around 1 a.m. near the 18-mile marker in Hempstead County. Authorities say 44-year-old Jonathan Gary Williams of Sherwood, who was working as a contractor for the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT), was fatally struck while performing roadway maintenance. Williams had been operating a specialized trailer used to apply reflectors on the highway when he was hit by a 2004 Buick Century. The driver of the Buick fled the scene on foot and has not yet been located. As of the last report issued at 5:15 p.m. Monday, the suspect remains at large, and the investigation into the hit-and-run is ongoing.
Roughly an hour later, at around 2:15 a.m., troopers were called to the scene of a second crash near the 19-mile marker. This collision involved two vehicles, and while no fatalities were reported, some of those involved sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The individuals received medical treatment at the scene, but further details about their identities or the cause of the crash have not been disclosed.
A third, more severe crash occurred shortly afterward near the 20-mile marker. This incident involved multiple vehicles — three semi-trucks and a pickup truck. The violent impact led to the deaths of two passengers in the pickup: 25-year-old Jonathan Garcia and 61-year-old Javier Rivera, both residents of Hope. The truck’s driver and another passenger were seriously injured and transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
In the aftermath of these incidents, the westbound lanes of Interstate 30 were temporarily shut down to allow law enforcement to conduct investigations and crews to clean up the affected areas.
Following the fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of a contractor, ARDOT Director Jared Wiley released a heartfelt statement. He expressed sorrow over the loss and emphasized the critical and dangerous nature of highway maintenance work. Wiley noted that the initial crash created a traffic backup, leading to the subsequent collisions. He stressed the importance of driver awareness and the shared responsibility to protect workers and the traveling public.
“These tragedies were preventable,” Wiley said. “Our hearts go out to the families and coworkers affected by these crashes. Highway workers risk their lives daily to maintain safe roads. We must do everything we can to safeguard them.”
The Arkansas State Police continue to investigate the crashes, particularly the hit-and-run case. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the suspect involved in the initial crash to come forward. The series of accidents serve as a sobering reminder of the dangers that highway workers and motorists face and the importance of responsible driving behavior, especially in active work zones.
