WHITE COUNTY, Ark. — The night was quiet and cold on Tuesday, January 20, when a crash on Interstate 57 turned deadly for a young man from Heber Springs. Bradley Grady Tharp, 23, lost his life after the car he was driving left the road and flipped multiple times near the 41-mile marker on northbound I-57 in rural White County.
Troopers with the Arkansas State Police were called to the scene shortly after 8:30 p.m. following reports of a serious single-vehicle rollover. When emergency crews arrived, they found Tharp’s 2015 Dodge Dart off the roadway with heavy damage scattered across the shoulder.
According to the preliminary crash report, Tharp was driving alone when his vehicle ran off the pavement and began rolling. The force of the crash threw him from the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No other vehicles were involved in the collision.
At this point, authorities are still trying to determine exactly why Tharp’s car left the road. Arkansas State Police say they are looking into factors such as speed, visibility, and road conditions, but have not released official findings. It is also not yet known whether Tharp was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Witnesses and locals say the rural stretch of I-57 can be unforgiving at night. With long dark stretches and limited traffic, drivers can feel confident — sometimes too confident. Law enforcement officials remind motorists that even familiar roads can become dangerous when conditions change or a moment’s inattention occurs.
Friends and family are mourning Tharp as word spread through Heber Springs and surrounding communities. Many remember him as a warm, caring young man whose life was full of promise. Tributes shared by those who knew him speak of his easy smile and big heart — the kind that made a small town feel like home.
The Arkansas State Police continue their investigation, hoping to shed light on what led to this tragedy. In the meantime, the agency urges drivers to stay alert, obey speed limits, and buckle up — simple steps that save lives on highways across the state every day.
