Two-vehicle collision fatal for one driver

By Randy Moll

Posted: July 28, 2009 at 6:10 a.m.

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GENTRY — A Kansas, Okla., woman was killed Monday morning when her sport utility vehicle crossed the centerline and collided with an oncoming tractor-trailer rig.

Tara Nicole Russell, 26, died of injuries received in an accident on Arkansas Highway 12, approximately two miles west of Gentry. The accident occurred at about 8:11 a.m.

According to a release from the Arkansas State Police, Russell was eastbound in a2006 Kia Sorento when her SUV crossed the centerline and struck a westbound 2009 Mack truck, pulling a trailer, which was driven by Gerald Fain, 34, of Watts, Okla.

Russell was taken by AirEvac helicopter to Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, where she later died of her injuries, the release states.

Fain was not injured in the crash.

An investigation is ongoing, according to the release, but no charges are expected to be filed. Seat belts were in use byboth drivers at the time of the crash, the release states.

Witnesses at the scene reported a pop immediately prior to the crash and suspected a possible blowout of a tire on Russell's SUV, causing her vehicle to cross the centerline.

Gentry Police and the Gentry Fire Department, as well as a Siloam Springs ambulance, also responded to the crash and assisted the Arkansas State Police. Gentry firefighters had to cut the top of Russell's SUV and pull it back in order to extricate her.

News, Pages 2 on 07/28/2009

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