Faye Ward Injured in Alma Car Accident
A 40-year-old driver was killed when a Dodge Charger struck a guardrail on Interstate 40 in wet conditions
Arkansas recorded 596 traffic death in 2023, ranking among the nation's highest rates for roadway deaths, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Adding to that toll, Faye Ward, 39, of Ozark, was injured in a fatal car accident on Interstate 40 near the 14-mile marker in Alma on April 26, according to the Arkansas State Police.
paramedics arrived at the scene around 5 a.m. to find a 2018 Dodge Charger that had crashed off the eastbound lanes. The vehicle's driver, a 40-year-old Ozark man, lost control of the car, left the road and struck a guardrail.
The driver was pronounced dead. Ward, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment.
A responding trooper noted that the roads were wet and conditions were cloudy when the crash occurred.
The State Police continue to investigate the crash.
What factors contribute to Interstate 40 crashes?
While the exact cause of this crash remains under investigation, single-vehicle accidents often involve a complex interplay of environmental conditions and vehicle dynamics. Wet roads and cloudy conditions can significantly reduce tire traction and driver visibility, especially during early morning hours.
In car accidents such as this, crash reconstructionists examine physical evidence to understand why a vehicle left its travel lane. National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. "It is imperative to come to a determination of the exact cause of these types of accidents. An attorney has the resources to review applicable insurance coverage, hire expert witnesses, run background checks, and locate witnesses. We carefully guide the family of the victim through the process."
How does Arkansas crash data compare nationally?
The state's death rate of 1.52 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled ranks as the fifth highest in the United States, according to recent federal data. Interstate corridors frequently see higher concentrations of severe collisions due to raise speeds and traffic volumes.
What is the status of the injured passenger?
National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Counsel at Bond Legal, noted that "Grieving families of victims are sometimes overwhelmed by the legal processes that are in place to protect their rights."
Ward was taken to a medical facility for treatment following the guardrail impact. Passengers injured in single-vehicle crashes face a unique recovery process, often requiring extensive medical documentation and long-term care evaluation as the investigation unfolds.
Arkansas wrongful death statute
Under Ark. Code § 16-62-102, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. The state applies modified comparative fault (50% bar). The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is 3 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship and consortium, funeral and burial expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering.