A Lafayette County, Ark. deputy was killed in a three-vehicle crash Monday afternoon.
Chief Deputy Allen Ray “Pete” Richardson was transporting a homeless man to a shelter when his vehicle collided with an SUV and a tractor-trailer near Lewisville around 2:48 p.m., according to The Magnolia Reporter.
The 50-year-old deputy, who was also the county's criminal investigator, died at the scene. The homeless man, 28-year-old Michael Lee Ackart, was transported to Wadley Regional Medical Center in Texarkana.
KSLA-TV reported that officials believe Ackart reached over and grabbed the steering wheel, causing Richardson to swerve into oncoming traffic.
The Sheriff's Office Dodge Nitro collided with a Toyota SUV on U.S. 82, and also involved a tractor-trailer. Nettie Shumpert, the driver of the SUV, was transported to Christus-St. Michael Medical Center in Texarkana, while the driver of the tractor-trailer was uninjured.
Richardson was a veteran of the Air Force and served with the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office since 1995. He is survived by his wife, Melanie Richardson.
Arkansas State Police is currently investigating the collision.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
