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Fatal accident on I-40 leads to hours and miles of traffic jams in Monroe County

Three semi-trucks collided in Monroe County on Monday night, causing traffic to back up for hours on at least 20 miles of highway. The crash occurred about 3.1 miles southwest of Brinkley. The Little Rock branch of 40/29 reported the Arkansas Department of Transportation confirmed one of the semi-trucks involved was hauling military equipment. Louisiana officials were called to remove the equipment because it may be explosive. At 5:30 p.m., a grass fire broke out eastbound to Brinkley at mile marker 211. A multi-car crash involving three semi-trucks occurred shortly afterward. Arkansas State Police said one person died. All lanes are expected to be closed for an extended period of time. Traffic is currently being detoured eastbound off the interstate via exit 202 and westbound via exit 216. Both lanes are affected. In a post on X, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders urged drivers to “use Highway 70 for eastbound travel and Highway 64 for westbound travel to keep roads clear for emergency responders.” Click here for more Get Ready Traffic updates.

MONROE COUNTY, Arkansas —

On Monday evening, three semi-trailers crashed in Monroe County, causing traffic to be backed up for hours along a length of at least 20 miles.

The accident occurred about 5 km southwest of Brinkley.

Little Rock's 40/29 reported that the Arkansas Department of Transportation confirmed that one of the semi-trailers involved was carrying military equipment. Louisiana officials were called to remove the equipment because it may contain explosives.

At 5:30 p.m. a grass fire broke out eastbound toward Brinkley at mile marker 211.

Shortly thereafter, a multi-vehicle crash involving three semi-trailers occurred. According to Arkansas police, one person died.

All lanes are expected to be closed for an extended period of time. Traffic is currently being diverted from the interstate eastbound via exit 202 and westbound via exit 216.

Both lanes are affected.

Arkansas Department of Transportation

This photo from an ARDOT camera at mile 200 shows the eastbound backup at about 2:15 a.m.
Eastbound traffic on I40 in Monroe County

Arkansas Department of Transportation

This photo shows the westbound backup taken by an ARDOT camera near mile marker 221.

In a post on X, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders urged motorists to “use Highway 70 for eastbound travel and Highway 64 for westbound travel to keep roads clear for emergency responders.”

ARDOT traffic cameras showed a traffic jam at least from mile 200 to mile 222.

Click here for more Get Ready Traffic updates.

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