Road Worker Killed, 2 Other Fatalities in Separate Crash

July 21, 2025

FULTON, Ark. – The Arkansas State Police (ASP) is investigating a series of early morning wrecks that occurred along Interstate 30 westbound between Hope and Fulton, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and several injuries.

At approximately 1 a.m. on Monday, July 21, Arkansas State Troopers responded to a fatal hit-and-run collision near the 18-mile marker of I-30. The victim, Jonathan Gary Williams, 44, of Sherwood, was working as an Arkansas Department of Transportation contractor at the time of the incident. Williams was operating from a specialized trailer, applying reflectors to the roadway center line, when he was struck and killed by a 2004 Buick Century. The driver of the Buick fled the scene on foot and has not yet been located.

At around 2:15 a.m., Troopers responded to a second, two-vehicle collision near the 19-mile marker, which resulted in minor injuries. The drivers involved were treated at the scene.

A third collision occurred near the 20-mile marker westbound, involving three tractor-trailers and a pickup truck. Passengers of the pickup, Jonathan Garcia, 25, and Javier Rivera, 61, both of Hope, were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and another passenger of the pickup were transported to nearby hospitals with serious injuries.

The westbound lanes of I-30 between Hope and Fulton were temporarily closed to allow for investigation and cleanup. One westbound lane reopened at approximately 9 a.m., and all lanes reopened around noon.

ASP urges all drivers to exercise extreme caution in work zones and to report any information that may assist in these ongoing investigations.