Tragic Accident In Newport
Details are still sketchy, but I thought I'd share what I know so far, since Newport is the hometown of both my husband and my father, and these victims are/were family friends and longtime local teachers in the Newport school system.
An AP news release via the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette today reports that two of the seven people injured in a bizarre and tragic accident at a Newport restaurant yesterday have died, and that two more are still in critical condition. All of the victims were current or retired Newport teachers, and were injured yesterday evening when a truck driven by Gary Nicholson Jr. crossed several lanes of traffic and crashed into the Hardee's restaurant where the victimes were eating dinner, a weekly get-together for the longtime friends, who had a love of teaching in common.
The two retired teachers whose injuries proved fatal were Beverly Tapp and Jane Wright. The other five, who were injured, were Levi Anders, Carol Brand, Pat Brown, Jane Parnell, and Velma Johnson. Word-of-mouth from Newport reports that Brand and Brown are listed in critical condition in a Memphis hospital, and that one other victim is in a Little Rock hospital, with the remaining two victims having been treated for their injuries and released.
Nicholson, who, last we heard, is still being held by police, received minor injuries in the accident, and was arrested on suspicion of drug violations and Driving While Intoxicated. More charges may follow.
Our prayers and well wishes go out to the families ravaged by this terrible and senseless tragedy.
An AP news release via the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette today reports that two of the seven people injured in a bizarre and tragic accident at a Newport restaurant yesterday have died, and that two more are still in critical condition. All of the victims were current or retired Newport teachers, and were injured yesterday evening when a truck driven by Gary Nicholson Jr. crossed several lanes of traffic and crashed into the Hardee's restaurant where the victimes were eating dinner, a weekly get-together for the longtime friends, who had a love of teaching in common.
The two retired teachers whose injuries proved fatal were Beverly Tapp and Jane Wright. The other five, who were injured, were Levi Anders, Carol Brand, Pat Brown, Jane Parnell, and Velma Johnson. Word-of-mouth from Newport reports that Brand and Brown are listed in critical condition in a Memphis hospital, and that one other victim is in a Little Rock hospital, with the remaining two victims having been treated for their injuries and released.
Nicholson, who, last we heard, is still being held by police, received minor injuries in the accident, and was arrested on suspicion of drug violations and Driving While Intoxicated. More charges may follow.
Our prayers and well wishes go out to the families ravaged by this terrible and senseless tragedy.
Comments
I'm so sorry to hear about such a senseless tragedy. This driving into buildings is beoming rather commonplace in Boston, where I live. I don't undertand it, I really don't.
Posted by: margalit | September 6, 2006 07:47 PM
Thanks for stopping by, Margalit. This is just tearing this small town apart with grief. Alex knows almost everyone involved, and was taught in school by some of the victims...I can only imagine the trauma being suffered by ALL the families involved, including that of the driver.
Posted by: Belinda | September 6, 2006 09:21 PM
Ack! I hope you there in your state actually punish drunk drivers! Here in British Columbia, it just seems like they all get off with a slap on the wrist!
Posted by: CeCe | September 6, 2006 09:37 PM