HOPE – On Monday, November 9, 2026, at approximately 1:53 p.m., the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a report of a male subject trapped underneath a lawn mower at a residence located at 1609 East 23rd Street in Hope, Arkansas.
Sergeant Dusty Townsend with the Hope Police Department and Sergeant Jeremy McBride with the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene at approximately 1:57 p.m. Upon arrival, officers observed a Dixie Chopper zero-turn lawn mower that had overturned, trapping a male subject underneath.
Sergeant Townsend and Sergeant McBride immediately began efforts to free the individual. Captain Justin Crane with the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office arrived shortly afterward and assisted the two officers in turning the lawn mower upright and removing it from the victim.
Pafford EMS and the Hope Fire Department subsequently arrived on scene and began administering life-saving measures. Despite their efforts, the male subject could not be revived.
Hempstead County Coroner David Peters was contacted and responded to the scene to conduct an investigation and take custody of the deceased.
Preliminary information obtained during the investigation indicates that the individual had been mowing a portion of the property for the homeowner. Investigators believe the individual may have been attempting to load the zero-turn mower onto a trailer when the mower overturned, trapping him underneath.
The incident remains under investigation. Based on the information currently available, the incident appears to have been accidental.
The Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office recognizes Sergeant Dusty Townsend, Sergeant Jeremy McBride, and Captain Justin Crane for their immediate response and efforts to free the trapped individual. We also extend our appreciation to Pafford EMS and the Hope Fire Department for their response and efforts to save the individual’s life.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the deceased’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office