A quiet Thursday morning turned tragic just before 8 a.m. on January 29, when 43‑year‑old Matthew Coles of Marion lost his life in a violent crash on Interstate 55 near Marion in Crittenden County, Arkansas. Arkansas State Police confirm the fatal collision happened around 7:48 a.m. at the nine‑mile marker on snowy, icy pavement that made travel treacherous.
Police say a 2017 Freightliner semi‑truck driven northbound by 50‑year‑old Ronnie Black of Walnut Ridge was merging onto I‑55 from a nearby rest area. A 2019 Freightliner, driven by 57‑year‑old Zivko Josipovic of Hudsonville, Michigan, failed to slow in time and struck Black’s truck in the rear. That powerful impact sent Black’s rig off the right shoulder, over cable barriers, and into the opposite lanes of southbound traffic.
In the southbound lanes, Black’s truck smashed head‑on into a 2006 Honda Accord that Coles was driving. Emergency crews arriving at the chilling scene found Coles’ vehicle mangled. He died at the scene from his injuries.
First responders rushed Black, Josipovic and a minor passenger from Coles’ car to a local hospital. Authorities have not released details about their medical conditions, only that all three were treated for injuries sustained in the crash.
State police noted that icy roads and winter weather likely played a role in the crash, urging drivers to slow down and keep safe distances when conditions are slick. The interstate was temporarily shut down while investigators and emergency crews worked through the morning to clear the wreckage and piece together the full sequence of events.
Residents along I‑55 responded with shock and sympathy, describing Coles as a friendly face in the community whose life was cut short on a routine commute. Local leaders offered condolences to the families involved and reiterated the importance of cautious driving during winter storms and hazardous road conditions.
Arkansas State Police say the investigation remains active, and they will release more information as they confirm further details about how the collision unfolded. They also reminded anyone with information about the crash to reach out to their office.
This tragedy on I‑55 stands as a somber reminder of how quickly winter weather can turn a morning commute into heartbreak and loss.
