One dead, one injured in crash on Interstate 55

MISSISSIPPI COUNTY — A crash between two semitrucks Tuesday afternoon killed a North Dakota man and sent another man to the hospital, according to a preliminary fatality report from the Arkansas State Police.

The crash happened around 4 p.m. Aug. 6 on I-55 at the 34.5 mile-marker. Tony Joe Rud, 44, of Drayton, North Dakota died in the crash, ASP said.

According to ASP, a 2023 Kenworth, driven by Rud, and a 2021 Kenworth, driven by Gerado Sauedo, 28, of Mexico, were going north on I-55 near the 34-mile marker when the crash happened.

Authorities said the Kenworth, driven by Rud, failed to stop, striking the Kenworth driven by Sauedo, in the rear trailer. From there, the Kenworth, driven by Sauedo, came to a rest, while the Kenworth driven by Rud went right, left the roadway and ejected Rud.

Sauedo was taken to an Osceola hospital for treatment, ASP said.

The weather was clear and the road was dry at the time of the crash.

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LITTLE ROCK — As summer ends and schools prepare to reopen, Arkansas State Police (ASP) is reminding parents to be vigilant in identifying and stopping sexual predators who target children through online connections.

This summer, ASP has issued several Missing/Endangered Advisories for missing children and teens, including five Amber Alerts since May. In recent months, multiple

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Arkansas teens have been lured away by predators they met through online messaging apps.

“The internet provides a type of anonymity that allows people to conceal their true identities or assume false ones. This creates a playground for predators and poses a significant threat to children and teenagers who use the internet,” said Major Stacie Rhoads, ASP Criminal Investigation Division commander. “Online predators may attempt to engage kids and teens in sexual conversations or even arrange to meet in person. They may also send explicit material or request that children send pictures of themselves. It is crucial to educate your children about the importance of staying cautious while online.”

ASP serves as the coordinating law enforcement agency in Arkansas to alert the public of missing or abducted children, using a statewide notification system known as the Arkansas AMBER Alert System.

Local law enforcement agencies must request advisories and alerts and AMBER Alerts are only issued when ASP determines a child has been abducted and is in imminent danger.

For tools to help parents protect their children against technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and internet crimes, visit aricac.org. Online safety presentations may also be requested by schools, civic groups, and other organizations through this site.

To report suspicious online activity, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1800-THE-LOST (1-800843-5678).

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Arkansas Air National

Guard practices landing skills on highway near Bono

BONO — The Arkansas Air National Guard’s 189th Airlift Wing on Sunday landed a C-130H Hercules cargo aircraft on Arkansas Highway 63 in Bono, Ark., as part of Operation Emerald Warrior, an Air Force training exercise.

The exercise was conducted on a closed 3-mile portion, which provided at least 5,000 feet of space for a suitable landing strip.

The exercise required the assistance and coordination of several military and state agencies, including Little Rock Air Force Base’s 19th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department and LRAFB’s 34th Combat Training Squadron, the 189th Airlift Wing’s Safety Flight, the Arkansas Department of Transportation, Arkansas State Police, Craighead County Sheriff’s Office and the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.

“This exercise validated our proof of concept as a capability,” said Col. Jay Geaney, Arkansas Air National Guard director of staff and a C-130H pilot.

“It’s been simulated effective into execution for years in many tabletop and actual exercises. I’m proud of our team that planned, coordinated, and executed this training with all our partners in the Air Force,

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ARDOT, Arkansas State Police and local law enforcement.

“We’re also appreciative of those who live in and around Bono, because we certainly interrupted their normal routines on Sunday, but it was for a good cause.”

The training exercise simulated providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief assistance to a remote location in the event of an earthquake or natural disaster.

Photo courtesy of Arkansas Air National Guard