Crash on I-40 fatal to Fort Smith teen

Monday, July 22, 2013

A Fort Smith teen died Sunday, two days after a one-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 in Pulaski County, according to a preliminary Arkansas State Police fatality accident report.

Shortly after 1:30 p.m. Friday, Allen Ramirez, 18, was driving west on the interstate in a 2004 Mazda MZ3 when he veered off the left shoulder and lost control of the car, state police said. Ramirez weaved through the westbound lanes and ran off the right side of the highway, striking a tree, state police said.

Ramirez and passenger Ariana Balsara, 17, were taken to Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, and Balsara died of her injuries Sunday, state police said.

Arkansas, Pages 9 on 07/22/2013