Collision Sends One To Hospital

CENTERTON — A truck burst into flames and one man was injured Saturday after a two-vehicle accident on Arkansas 102.

Heath Alsip, 22, of Gentry, was westbound near the intersection of North Coffelt Cemetery Road, about two miles west of Centerton, when his red Chevrolet pickup collided with an eastbound flatbed truck around 10:30 a.m. Alsip’s pickup was left of the center line at the time the vehicles hit, according to Jesse Woodham, Arkansas State Police trooper.

Both vehicles swerved but still collided nearly head-on, Woodham said.

The cab of the flatbed truck immediately caught fire, said its driver, 52-year-old Daniel Cantu. Cantu escaped after kicking open his passenger-side door. He was uninjured.

Alsip was taken to Northwest Medical Center-Bentonville. He was in stable condition upon leaving the scene, Woodham said. The hospital listed his condition as good on Saturday afternoon.

Cantu said he  just finished making a delivery to Decatur for Meek’s Lumber and was returning to Springdale at the time of the accident.

Alsip’s vehicle hit his fuel tank, Cantu said. The cab of Cantu’s truck filled up with smoke and there were flames all around him, he said.

“I kicked that door as hard as I could,” Cantu said. “When I jumped out I didn’t even bother looking back. I just ran to those trees over there.”

Cantu also was concerned about Alsip.

“I just hope he’s OK,” he said.

Cantu said he lost several valuables in the blaze, including his wallet.

Centerton and Hiwasse fire departments were called for the blaze. Delton Bush, Centerton fire chief, said the fire was under control within minutes after firefighters arrived.

Both vehicles involved in the accident were destroyed. No charges have been filed yet in relation to the accident, Woodham said.

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