Two dead in vehicle vs. train collision

By Dale Gathright, Jr., 05/26/23 10:05 AM

GUM SPRINGS – Two children are dead and two other people were injured in a crash involving a pickup and a Union Pacific freight train near Arkadelphia in Clark County.

According to the preliminary report from the Arkansas State Police, a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Chad M. Fryar, 37, of Malvern, was traveling east on Richwoods Road near Fisher Loop in the Gum Springs community, when he pulled into the path of a northbound Union Pacific train. The train struck the passenger side of the pickup which became lodged to the front of the train and was pushed approximately 2400 feet before the train could come to a stop.

Two minors in the pickup were killed, and Fryar and a third minor were injured and transported to Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock and Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.

The crash happened at 1:59 pm Thursday. Arkansas State Trooper Kendrick D. Davis was the investigating officer.