Train-truck crash claims life

HOPE – A Hope man is dead after being involved in a collision with a train late Tuesday night. According to the prelimenary report from the Arkansas State Police, Russell L. Neal, 42, of Hope was traveling westbound on Hempstead County Road 2 near U.S. Highway 67 in a 2023 Mack truck and apparently failed to yield at a railroad crossing and was struck by a train.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by Hempstead County Coroner David Peters. Trooper Jacob Haynie was the investigating officer. The crash happened at 11:35 pm Tuesday night.