Eastbound Ford veered across center line into oncoming Volkswagen near Lake City Bridge
December 05, 2025 | Craighead, AR
A devastating multi-vehicle accident unfolded on Highway 18 near the Lake City Bridge in Craighead County, Arkansas, resulting in two fatalities and several injuries.
The Arkansas Department of Public Safety is leading the ongoing investigation into the incident that occurred around 6:33 p.m. on Dec. 5.
Kennedy Riggs, 18, died after 2013 Ford veered into her westbound 2023 Volkswagen on Highway 18 at the Lake City Bridge in Craighead County, and 2014 Toyota later hit her vehicle from behind.
What Happened in the Crash?
The collision involved three vehicles: a 2013 Ford traveling eastbound, a 2023 Volkswagen heading west, and a 2014 Toyota also westbound. The Ford veered across the center turn lane, colliding head-on with the Volkswagen. Moments later, the Toyota struck the Volkswagen from behind.
- Location: Highway 18 at the Lake City Bridge, Craighead County
- Time: Approximately 6:33 p.m. on Dec. 5, 2025
- Vehicles Involved: 2013 Ford, eastbound, 2023 Volkswagen, westbound, 2014 Toyota, westbound
- Fatalities: Driver of the Ford, 48-year-old from Manila, and one juvenile passenger in the Volkswagen
- Injuries: Driver of the Volkswagen, Kennedy Riggs, 18, from Blytheville, and four juvenile passengers in the Volkswagen
- Transports: Injured parties taken to NEA Hospital and St. Bernards Hospital in Jonesboro
Why Do These Accidents Happen?
Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death and injury across the U.S. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 36,000 people lose their lives annually in such incidents, with 1.9 million more suffering injuries.
Common contributing factors, as reported by NHTSA for 2018 data, include:
Factor |
Description |
|---|
Speeding |
Primary cause of fatal crashes |
Alcohol/Drugs/Medication |
Second leading contributor |
Failure to Stay in Lane |
Often due to distraction or impairment |
Failure to Yield |
Right-of-way violations |
Distracted Driving |
Includes phone use and other diversions |
Road conditions, poor visibility, and inadequate lighting can exacerbate these risks, particularly on bridges and highways like Highway 18.
Legal Insights
Newsline's national legal analysts provide perspective on multi-vehicle collisions in cases such as this, emphasizing the importance of thorough investigations.
“Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors considered and examined,” said Candice bond, managing partner with Bond Legal.
“An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision,” said bond.
Key takeaways from analyst insights:
- Investigations often involve experienced teams to determine fault and causation.
- Victims may pursue claims for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress.
- Insurance companies may undervalue claims, making legal representation essential.
Stefano formica, of counsel at Bond Legal, added:
“Injured victims involved in a collision often seek a personal injury claim to cover the cost of medical bills, future medical care, loss of income, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering.”
"Insurance companies can be notoriously unconcerned with the mounting costs that an injured party may accrue. An attorney can help. We protect the victims of these tragedies daily, forcing the insurance companies to pay for their mistakes,” he added.
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Candice Bond, national legal analyst for Newsline, is experienced in serious auto accidents. She offers free consultations for those in need of help.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).