A Star City man died Tuesday, February 10, 2026, after the utility vehicle he was operating left the roadway and overturned on Tamo River Road near Tamo in Jefferson County, according to the Arkansas State Police.
Philip Dell Bitely, 77, was driving a 2017 Polaris Ranger northbound on Tamo River Road when the vehicle departed the roadway. Bitely overcorrected, causing the Polaris Ranger to overturn. The crash occurred at approximately 3:20 p.m. under cloudy skies on a dry road surface.
Bitely was transported to UAMS, where he was pronounced dead. His body was held at UAMS following the crash. No other occupants were in the vehicle, and no additional injuries were reported.
The Arkansas State Police is leading the investigation into the fatal crash.
This report is based on preliminary information from the Arkansas State Police. The investigation is ongoing.