JENNETTE, Ark. — Two people are dead and an Arkansas Highway Police officer is recovering from injuries after Arkansas State Police said a commercial truck ran into a parked Highway Police car on I-40 East and caught fire near West Memphis, causing a blaze that continues to have eastbound lanes shut down.
Arkansas State Police said they responded to a call for a commercial truck on fire at mile marker 268 on I-40 East near Jennette, Arkansas, about four miles west of West Memphis. When they arrived, they were told a Highway Police car was involved.
State Police said their initial information suggests the truck, moving eastbound, ran into the Highway Police car that was parked on the right shoulder of I-40, before hitting the guardrail and overturning. The truck then caught fire.
State Police said the two people inside the truck at the time did not survive. The officer driving the Highway Police car received minor injuries.
All lanes of I-40 East near the crash are completely closed down, and westbound traffic is delayed. Avoid the area.