Authorities report a Pocahontas man has been charged with negligent homicide in connection with an accident on Interstate-555 near Trumann that claimed the lives of two Paragould residents.
Police arrested Taylor David Rhoades age 25 of Pocahontas on charges of negligent homicide, DWI (drugs), careless or prohibited driving and leaving the scene of an accident with personal injuries.
Authorities say Rhoads was driving a 2010 Ford Focus northbound on Interstate 555 and struck the Ford Fusion on the road shoulder, and the accident caused Slayton and Ward’s deaths.
Poinsett County Sheriff’s Deputies patrolling on Thursday night noticed the Ford Focus with considerable damage and initiated a traffic stop to check out the damaged vehicle. Officers say the vehicle showed evidence that the vehicle had struck a person(s).
Original Report:
ASP Releases Details After Two Men Struck And Killed On Highway
JUN 30, 2025
According to the Arkansas State Police, two Paragould men were killed after a car hit them on the shoulder of Interstate 555.
ASP reports the crash occurred at 7:20 p.m., June 24, on I-555 at mile marker 23 in Trumann.
Tyler Slayton age 36 of Paragould and Jacob Ward age 31 of Paragould were working on the rear driver side flat tire of a 2010 Ford Fusion when they were struck from the rear by a 2010 Ford Focus traveling north, killing both.
Arkansas State Police did not identify the driver.
Road conditions were reported as clear/dry at the time of the crash.
The incident was investigated by the Arkansas State Police.