Here’s the true story behind the events that started that untrue rumor, that peaked Monticello’s interest……

Around 7:45, Thursday morning, there was a car wreck on HWY 425, near the Jordan Drive overpass.

A lady who was involved in the accident reportedly became overwhelmed by the stress of the collision, and either laid down, or possibly passed out, as emergency personnel were arriving.

Her condition is unknown, she didn’t not seem to have serious injuries.

A passing motorist apparently saw her there, and the rumor likely began.

That’s the story, behind the story, of the “dead body found near the HWY 425 overpass.

Monticello Rescue Squad responded, as did MPD, SEEMS, and MASI.

The driver’s injuries did not appear to be serious.

No one was seriously injured, around 3:45 Saturday, in a 3 vehicle collision at the HWY 425/278 intersection.

A Ford pick-up reportedly ran a red-light, and was struck in the driver’s door by a Pontiac Grand Prix.  Another vehicle was also struck, receiving less damage than the Ford and Pontiac.

Monticello Police and an Arkansas State Trooper responded to work the traffic and accident.

But that wasn’t the case for everyone, with 5 Drew County arrests being made on potential DWI charges, after the festivities ended well after midnight.

The only reported wreck was on HWY 138, on the first bridge near the first curve west of Pine Hill #2.

A Mazda RX-8 appears to have lost control in the curve, before striking both side of the bridge, before spinning to a stop, just before it would’ve gone into a deep ditch.  This wreck has not been attributed to alcohol, but the driver left the scene before Drew County Deputies arrived.  Affordable Wrecker towed the Mazda to their storage lot.

As the unloaded truck came around the curve, the driver saw a train across the roadway, with  a car waiting at the crossing.  Due to the recent rain and wet pavement, the driver attempted to turn into a driveway, to avoid a possible collision.  The big rig came to a stop in a nearby yard, after hitting a fence and 2 pecan trees.

No one was injured.  Drew County Sheriff’s deputies worked the wreck.

Around 6:30, Tuesday evening, MPD and SEEMS responded to the report of an 18 month old child being hit by an eastbound pick-up truck.

The accident occurred on HWY 278 East, near the Commercial Bank branch.

According to sources at the scene, the child was allegedly unattended at the time of the accident, when it was struck by the vehicle, and traveled approximately 30 feet after impact.

Early reports from the scene indicate the the injuries did not appear to be life threatening.

The child was later transferred from Drew Memorial to Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.

According to reports, Jackson was walking in the eastbound lane, when a westbound Chevy Trailblazer, driven by an Arlington, TX man pulled into the eastbound lane to pass another vehicle, striking Jackson.

Jackson was pronounced dead a short time later at the McGehee hospital.

Arkansas State Police investigated the accident.

According the the Arkansas State Police, Monterris T. Wilson was southbound on HWY 65, when he lost control of his 2008 Chrysler, and ran off of the roadway, hitting a culvert.  The vehicle then rolled across a nearby parking lot, ejecting Wilson.  No seat belt was in use.

The accident, which occurred at 11:08, wasa investiagated by the Pine Bluff Police Dept.

The collision occurred between All-Occaision Florist and Jordan Drive.

The driver of the Tyson truck was transported to DMH to be checked for injuries.

Triple A Towing removed the big-rig, so the roadway could be re-opened.

Monticello Police, assisted by Drew County Sheriff’s deputies, worked the crash site.

HWY 425 South, just north of Ladelle, was the scene of a fatal motor vehicle collision, Wednesday morning around 6:15, as this Ford pick-up collided head on with this Toyota Corolla.  Monticello’s Fire and Rescue Team was called out to extricate the occupants from one of the vehicles.

SEEMS and MASI both responded, taking the surviving victims to Drew Memorial Hospital, and all threee were then transferred to other hospitals.

Arkansas State Police worked the accident scene, assisted by Drew County Sherriff’s deputies.

Traffic was shut down in both directions, but re-opened around 8 o’clock.

The deceased was identified as Teodoro Mendiola, age 51, of Hamburg.

According to reports, the accident occurred whne the driver of the southbound Toyota crossed the center line, and collided with the Ford.