A 43-year-old Marion man died Thursday morning in a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 55 in Crittenden County, according to the Arkansas State Police.
Matthew Coles was killed when his 2006 Honda Accord was struck head-on around 7:48 a.m. on northbound I-55 near the 9-mile marker in Marion. According to the crash report, a 2019 Freightliner struck the rear of a 2017 Freightliner that was merging from a rest area. The impact caused the 2019 Freightliner to leave the roadway, cross the cable barriers and enter the southbound lanes, where it collided with Coles’ vehicle.
The crash occurred under clear weather conditions, but road conditions were reported as icy at the time. Coles was transported to Baptist Hospital, where he died from his injuries. His body was taken to Wolfe Brothers Funeral Home.
This report is based on preliminary information from the Arkansas State Police. The investigation is ongoing.