Arkansas highway employee killed in accident

— Authorities say an Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department employee was killed when the work vehicle in which he was riding was struck from behind and overturned.

According to an Arkansas State Police report, 68-year-old Vaughn Pierson of Mountain Home died and his colleague, Gary Hester, was injured in the crash Wednesday near Cornerstone.

The Batesville Daily Guard reports that Hester was driving west on Arkansas Highway 88 at a low speed while painting lane markings on the highway. The work vehicle was hit from behind by another westbound vehicle, causing the work vehicle to overturn.

The other vehicle's occupants, Roderick Gaston and Brittney Tillmon, were taken to a Pine Bluff hospital for treatment.

Highway Department spokesman Glenn Bolick says agency employees' thoughts and prayers are with Pierson's family.

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