I-55 wreck claims life of Caruthersville man

A Caruthersville man was killed Sunday morning during an accident on Interstate 55 in Blytheville.

Around 6 a.m. Sunday, at the 65-mile marker, Gerald Johnson, 75, lost control of his Chevrolet Equinox, according to a report from the Arkansas State Police. As it was traveling southbound, Johnson's vehicle apparently crossed the median and struck a drainage ditch, according to Arkansas State trooper Freddy Ware, who was the lead investigator of the accident.

Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene by Mississippi County Coroner Mike Godsey. Betty Johnson, 73, a passenger, also from Caruthersville, was flown to The Regional Medical Center in Memphis, Ware said.

Assisting the State Police were the Blytheville Police Department, the Mississippi County Sheriff's Office, Pafford EMS, the Blytheville Emergency Squad and Pyramid Wrecker Service.

mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com