Henley Dolmon Killed in Auto Accident on Interstate 55 in West Memphis, AR
West Memphis, AR — January 14, 2023, 41-year-old Henley Dolmon died in a head-on crash with a tractor-trailer on I-55 in Crittenden County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 4:55 a.m. along northbound Interstate 55 near mile marker 2. Preliminary investigation suggests Dolmon was allegedly driving a Mercedes-Benz vehicle south in the northbound lanes, against traffic, when he collided head-on with an oncoming Mack truck.
Dolmon was fatally injured in the collision. The truck driver was transported to an area hospital with unspecified injuries.
No further information is currently available.
Preliminary reports only say the victim of this crash was traveling on the wrong side of the road, but don't (or can't) shed much light on why. That's not generally something that happens for no reason, so I hope authorities consider the possible explanations, analyze the evidence, and get to the bottom of what really happened out there.
That analysis must include even topics that might ordinarily escape attention. For example, in Dallas the North Tollway (DNT) was notorious for quite some time for playing host to many wrong-way drivers. Studies were conducted and heads scratched over how and why so many vehicles ended up going the wrong way, but researchers eventually determined that most of the road's "Wrong Way" signage was actually posted too high to naturally fall within people's line of sight. Officials then had all the signs lowered, and that simple move drastically reduced the DNT's annual wrong-way crash statistics.
I'm not saying that awkward signage was the culprit in Arkansas, only pointing out that a comprehensive effort is needed to ensure the truth is found. I have little doubt the victim's family would appreciate that kind of effort to bring them answers about their loss, and they deserve no less. I hope in the end what investigators can tell them brings them some closure.
