Teen injured in single-vehicle crash

The mangled wreckage of Justin Thompkin's pickup truck, following last week's accident on the west edge of Piggott. The bed liner of the truck can be seen in the background, near where the vehicle sheared-off a utility pole.
(Times photo/Tim Blair)

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Justin Thompkins, 17, of West North Street, sustained moderate injuries in the single vehicle accident that occurred when his GMC Sonoma pickup ran off the highway and struck a utility pole. Thompkins, a junior at Piggott High School, was transported to the hospital from the scene and was released the following morning.

According to reports from the Piggott Police Department, the crash occurred just before 4 p.m. on West North Street (U.S. Highway 62 West) about a half mile west of Gordon Duckworth Drive. Thompkins was reportedly driving his vehicle westbound when he ran off the north side of the roadway and was unable to correct. The pickup slid 195 feet along the steep ditch bank and struck a utility pole with the passenger side of the vehicle. The truck then slid another 41 feet along a barbed wire fence, shedding its tailgate and bed liner in the process.

It then slid an additional 107 feet into the adjoining pasture and came to rest.

Initial reports at the scene indicated that, by the time motorists discovered the crash and came to Thompkins' aid, he had already climbed from the truck under his own power. He was transported from the scene by ambulance to Piggott Community Hospital for treatment of several lacerations and a variety of bruises. Thompkins was reportedly held overnight for observation and released on Friday.

The truck was towed from the scene by C&S Auto and Wrecker of Piggott.

The accident also caused a nearly three-hour power outage for residents along Highway 62 West, as city crews replaced the destroyed utility pole. The police report indicated officers remained on the scene until 6:30 p.m. providing traffic control while the repairs were being completed.

The mishap was investigated by Sgt. Sam Williams of the Piggott Police Department. He indicated that charges of careless and prohibitive driving were likely pending as a result of the investigation.