Accident on I-40 Claims Life of Ricky Riley | Crawford County
A 62-year-old Westville, Oklahoma man was killed and two others injured after a Mercury and a Freightliner collided on I-40 eastbound near Dyer, Arkansas, on September 29, 2025. Learn how wrongful death claims work in Arkansas. Call 501-838-4043.
ARKANSAS ACCIDENT NEWS
Arkansas wrongful death law after a head-on collision
Arkansasâs wrongful death statute allows families to recover damages for funeral expenses, loss of support, and companionship. Families must generally file within three years of the date of death.
A survival action may also allow recovery for medical costs and pain experienced prior to death.
Why head-on crashes demand detailed investigation
Head-on collisions often stem from lane departures, distracted driving, or driver impairment. Attorneys investigate police reports, crash reconstruction, skid mark analysis, and vehicle data to determine liability. Acting quickly helps secure critical evidence.
Arkansas wrongful death attorneys serving Garland County
At Ludwig Law Firm, our wrongful death lawyers prepare every wrongful death case as though it will be tried before a jury. We fight to hold negligent drivers accountable and support grieving families through the legal process. In complex cases, we also partner with trial lawyers like Harry Warden of Warden Law Firm, ensuring Arkansas families be
Our Wrongful Death Lawyers Can Help
We are available to help any family with wrongful death matters in Arkansas. call 501-838-4043 or visit ludwiglawfirm.com. We fight for full accountability after tragic accidents.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. Reading this blog or interacting with Ludwig Law Firm through this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every legal case is different, and you should not act or rely on any information in this blog without first consulting with a licensed attorney about your specific situation. For legal guidance tailored to your needs, please contact Ludwig Law Firm directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who can bring a wrongful death claim in Arkansas?
A. Usually the personal representative or statutory beneficiaries named by law.
Q. How long do families have to file?
A. Three years from the date of death, unless an exception applies.
Q. Does a survival action differ from wrongful death?
A. Yes. A survival action belongs to the estate and recovers damages the deceased could have claimed if they had survived.
DYER, ArkâWestville man killed, two injured in I-40 collision
On September 29, 2025 at 12:29 p.m., Arkansas State Police responded to a fatal crash on Interstate 40 eastbound near mile marker 20 in Dyer, Crawford County.
Investigators reported that a 2000 Mercury traveling eastbound attempted to make a U-turn on the interstate. A 2005 Freightliner traveling eastbound struck the Mercury, causing the truck to catch fire.
Fatality: Ricky Riley, 62, of Westville, Oklahoma, the driver of the Mercury, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Injured:
Margaret Shewmaker, 62, of Westville, Oklahoma (passenger in the Mercury)
Keith Woods, 64, of Cedar Hill, Missouri (driver of the Freightliner)
Both were transported to Mercy Fort Smith for treatment. The victimâs body was held at the Crawford County Coronerâs Office. Weather was clear, and the roadway was dry.
Note: Crash reports from Arkansas State Police are preliminary and may be updated as investigations continue.
Crash Summary
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