A Pine Bluff man was killed and a second one injured in a two-vehicle traffic accident Monday.
According to a preliminary report from the Arkansas State Police, Hugh Costello, 71, was driving a 2015 Ford and facing south on U.S. 65 at the intersection with Arkansas Highway 81 preparing to turn left. A 1993 Kenworth driven by Curtis Criss, 62, also of Pine Bluff, was traveling north on U.S. 65 and approaching the intersection.
As the Kenworth reached the intersection, the vehicle driven by Costello turned left into the path of the Kenworth, causing the front of the Kenworth to hit the right side of the vehicle driven by Costello.
Jefferson County Coroner Chad Kelley reported that Costello was taken to Jefferson Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead in the emergency room at 9:41 a.m.
Criss was also injured and taken to the hospital.
The accident was reported at 8:54 a.m. and the weather was clear and the roadway dry at the time.
The death was the 254th reported on the state’s highways so far this year.