GENTRY — A Gentry man was killed Sunday night as a result of a one-vehicle rollover accident on Arkansas Highway 59, just south of Gentry.
Bradlee H. Shrum, 26, of 105 S. Collins, in Gentry, was northbound about 9:35 p.m. on Arkansas Highway 59 in a 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander and failed to negotiate the curve in the new section of highway just south of the intersection of the Old Highway 59 and Garmon Road, according to an Arkansas State Police fatal crash summary.
According to an ASP media release, Shrum's vehicle "went off the right side of the roadway, struck a culvert, went airborne and overturned approximately three times, ejecting Shrum."
Shrum's vehicle was in the east ditch of the highway. Airbags could be seen deployed. Seat belt usage information was not yet available on Monday.
According to police and first responders on the scene, Shrum was under the vehicle when they arrived.
Shrum was airlifted to Washington Regional Medical Center and later pronounced dead from his injuries, according to the media release.
State Police were assisted by officers from the Gentry and Highfill Police Departments, according to the release. Rescue workers were on scene from the Gentry Fire Department and Siloam Springs Ambulance Service.
It is unknown at this time if alcohol played any part in Sunday night's fatal accident.
Gentry police had arrested Shrum on the night of Dec. 18 in connection with driving while under the influence of alcohol.
According to Gentry police reports, Shrum was stopped by police after he failed to stop before entering the intersection of Arkansas Highway 12 and S. Collins Ave., in Gentry. Police noticed the “odor of intoxicants” coming from the vehicle and saw that Shrum’s eyes looked watery and glazed, reports say. Officers also saw a large, open can of beer in the door of Shrum’s car.
A juvenile passenger in Shrum’s car was turned over to a sober friend of Shrum’s.
Shrum was arrested and taken to the Benton County Jail where he tested .290 blood alcohol content, according to reports. The legal limit is .08.
Shrum was cited by police for DWI, endangering the welfare of a child, careless and prohibited driving and failure to stop at a stop sign.