Marked Tree Police Officer Trevor Howard, 25, died Sunday after an early-morning crash at the intersection of Broadway and Nathan streets at approximately 2:50 a.m.
Officer Anthony Johnson, 22, who was driving the patrol truck at the time, was transported to NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro with non-life-threatening injuries. Kareem Jones, 28, of Marked Tree was airlifted to Regional One Health in Memphis for treatment of serious injuries.
According to Arkansas State Police, Jones was traveling north on Broadway in a 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis when he failed to stop at a stop sign. Johnson and Howard were in a Dodge Ram 1500 driven by Johnson, traveling east on Nathan Street. Howard was sitting in the front passenger seat. Jones collided with the officers’ vehicle on the passenger side, causing it to overturn. Howard was pronounced dead at the scene.
Howard, who was from Marmaduke, Arkansas, was 25 years old. Arkansas State Police is investigating the crash, and it remains unclear whether any charges will be filed.
By Sunday morning, a bundle of white flowers had been placed around a street sign at the intersection of Highway 14 and Broadway Street, and flags at the Marked Tree Municipal Building flew at half-staff in Howard’s honor.
The Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Howard was on duty at the time of his death. The Marked Tree Fire Department also extended condolences, stating the department was mourning the loss and that Howard’s sacrifice and commitment would never be forgotten.
Howard is survived by his family.
