Arkansas highway explosion kills driver and closes highway
An Arkansas highway explosion killed one person and closed an Arkansas highway on Wednesday, March 27, 2019. A truck carrying ammonium nitrate, a chemical commonly used as fertilizer, exploded on Highway 278 just west of Camden, Arkansas, in Ouachita County.
Little Rock, Arkansas, is about 100 miles to the north.
The driver, identified as Randall McDougal, 63, called 911 to report that his brakes were on fire. Firefighters responded, and were beginning to evacuate residents in the area. Mr. McDougal was trying to extinguish the fire when the truck exploded.
Robert Medford, Camden Fire Chief, told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “It looks like a bomb went off. There’s a big hole in the ground on where the truck was at.”
Tragically, Mr. McDougal was killed in the blast.
The explosion blew out some windows in nearby houses, toppled power and telephone lines, and was heard for miles. Some reports say that some local residents, and two or three first responders, were taken to a hospital to be checked out.
The explosion blew a crater in the highway that was 15 feet deep. A HazMat first responder estimated that it was 100 feet long. According to the Arkansas Department of Transportation, the damage was repaired, and the highway re-opened, on Friday morning.
Arkansas highway explosion tragedy
Incidents like the Arkansas highway explosion remind us of how suddenly our lives can be ripped apart. If you have lost a loved one in a fire or explosion, contact the experienced, compassionate attorneys at Pritzker Hageman to find out if you are entitled to compensation. The consultation is free. You can call us at 1-888-377-8900, or send in the online contact form. We can protect your legal rights, and help you begin to put your lives back together again.
The experienced and compassionate attorneys of Pritzker Hageman can help you begin to put your life back together.
Sources:
Taylor, Eryn. “One dead, three firefighters injured following explosion on Arkansas highway.” CBS News Wire, March 30, 2019.
Associated Press. “Truck carrying chemical explodes on Arkansas highway.” KBTX TV3, March 28, 2019.
“Arkansas road damaged in explosion reopens to traffic.” KY3, Friday, March 29, 2019.
“Fertilizer truck explodes, 1 dead, creates massive crater, Arkansas officials say.” Harrison Daily Times,
