Charles Sellers Killed in Auto Accident on Highway 167 in Calhoun County, AR
Calhoun County, AR — December 6, 2022, 41-year-old Charles Sellers died in a collision with a tractor-trailer on Highway 167 in Calhoun County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 6:00 p.m. on Highway 167 in wet and rainy conditions. Preliminary investigation suggests 53-year-old Marcus Tankersley was driving a Kenworth 18-wheeler north on the highway as Sellers was southbound in a Honda vehicle.
Reports indicate Sellers may have lost control of the Honda and crossed into the northbound lane. The left-front of the Honda then collided with the left-front of the Kenworth truck.
Sellers was fatally injured in the crash. Tankersley received unspecified injuries and was taken to an area hospital.
The investigation continues. No further information is available at this time.
Commentary on Charles Sellers Accident in Calhoun County
I have no particular reason to doubt these preliminary reports, but the years have taught me to take details about crossover wrecks with a grain of salt. Unfortunately, officers at the scene don't always have the tools or experience to properly handle complex crashes.
Not that long ago, for example, we looked into a crash with reports similar to these only for further independent investigations to show that police actually got the facts reversed. They believed the victim went left of center for unknown reasons, but we found evidence showing he only did so to avoid the 18-wheeler which had crossed over first.
I don't mention that to suggest it happened in Calhoun County, though it is one possibility of many. The point is that if authorities can overlook details that crucial, imagine what else they might miss during a "by the book" investigation. Understanding those potential shortcomings can help victim and families ensure they at least get all the facts; if there's anything else to do it would depend on what those facts are.
