Sircrease Brooks Killed in 18-Wheeler Hit-and-Run on I-40 in St. Francis County, AR
St. Francis County, AR — December 4, 2022, 45-year-old Sircrease Brooks was struck and killed by a hit-and-run 18-wheeler on Interstate 40 in rural St. Francis County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 3:35 p.m. on eastbound I-40 near mile marker 260. Preliminary investigation suggests Brooks had pulled onto the southbound shoulder of the highway where his GMC Sierra pickup was disabled. He reportedly got out and was trying to put gas in the truck when a big rig of unknown make and model passed through and hit both him and his pickup. The 18-wheeler then continued eastward without stopping.
Brooks suffered fatal injuries in the accident.
The investigation continues. No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Sircrease Brooks Hit-and-Run in St. Francis County
Many people feel like hit-and-run accidents are difficult, perhaps impossible, to solve--even when the vehicle that flees is as large and conspicuous as an 18-wheeler. It's important not to lose hope, though; it may take some time if investigators have little to work with right now, but in many cases someone eventually connects the dots and comes forward to help.
In a case not long ago, for example, a family reached out to us after their loved one was fatally hit by an 18-wheeler. The trucker fled the scene and authorities couldn't find enough information to identify the truck or a suspect. To help out we put all the known details and developments on the blog, and a couple eventually contacted us saying they witnessed the crash first-hand. They followed the truck, wrote down its company information and license plate, and only stopped because the trucker tried to run them off the road. They gave police the information but it somehow got misplaced and no one ever followed up, so they contacted us next and we took swift action.
Thanks to them the runaway truck driver (who was apparently high on meth when he fled) answered for his actions. Moreover, his employer was held properly accountable for the damage he caused and the victim's family got some much-needed help and closure.
That's something of a best-case scenario, but it's possible that similar efforts here could yield positive results. If someone witnessed the wreck or even just saw a damaged big rig in that area, they could still come forward if they know authorities are looking. Investigators can then find out more about what caused the crash and who's responsible. I'm sure they're doing their best to resolve this, but maybe independent efforts would also help move things forward.
