GREENE COUNTY, ARKANSAS — A Greene County Sheriff’s deputy is recovering after being struck by a passing truck while helping a disabled tractor-trailer on Highway 49 northbound between Paragould and Marmaduke early Monday morning.
The incident happened at approximately 6 a.m. Sergeant Colby Drope was assisting a semi-truck experiencing mechanical issues when he was struck. Knowing more traffic was approaching from the south, Drope was attempting to alert a southbound tractor-trailer to slow down and prevent another collision. The southbound truck moved as far over as it could. As it did, a northbound truck struck Drope.
Video released by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office shows a truck passing the stopped vehicle without slowing to a safe speed.
Drope was taken to Baptist Paragould Emergency Room shortly after the incident. He did not suffer any broken bones or serious injuries. “He was VERY lucky,” said Greene County Sheriff Brady Snyder.
Sheriff Snyder used the incident to remind drivers of their legal obligations when approaching emergency vehicles and roadside workers. “Law enforcement officers often find themselves outside their vehicles on busy highways for a multitude of reasons. Motor vehicle crashes, traffic stops, and disabled motorists are some of the most common reasons for these occurrences,” Snyder said. “While the incident noted below occurred on a two-lane highway, the law still requires drivers to slow considerably or stop for vehicles with flashing emergency lights activated until they can pass by safely.”
Under Arkansas’ Move Over Law, drivers on two-lane highways must slow significantly or stop if they cannot safely move over for emergency vehicles and roadside workers. Violations can result in fines, possible jail time, and loss of a driver’s license.
📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting. Tags: Greene County, Arkansas, Colby Drope, Move Over Law, Highway 49, deputy struck, disabled semi, Paragould, Marmaduke, Brady Snyder
