Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gurdon woman ran over, killed

On Friday, October 31, Dennis O. McClure, of 906 East Joslyn in Gurdon, was headed to Arkadelphia in a Dodge Intrepid when he saw a person step over the center line of Highway 67.

In his report, McClure said he did not have time to stop and reportedly hit the individual.

The pedestrian was identified as Jean Wray, 87, of Gurdon, who resided across the highway from where the accident occurred.

Shortly after Wray was stuck by McClure's vehicle, a vehicle, driven by Samantha Boone, of 5561 Highway 67 South, Gurdon, was driving southbound on Highway 67 when she saw some debris on the opposite side of the highway, she then saw Wray in the road and swerved to miss her, but was unable to.

According to Boone's report, she wasn't sure what she had hit until she stopped her car.

Wray was moved to the shoulder of the road shortly afterward.

The Arkansas State Police was notified of the accident with ASP Trooper David Rider responding to the call.

According to Rider's report, "Wray was walking from West to East across Highway 67. She was attempting to step onto the northbound traffic lane when she was struck by the left front of vehicle number one operated by McClure. After the impact, Wray came to a rest in the Southbound lane approximately 70-11 North of the area of impact.

Wray was then struck by the undercarriage of Boone's car. Wray was then moved to shoulder of the roadway before I (Rider) arrived on the scene. Wray was then pronounced dead by the Clark County Coroner and transported to Horne's Funeral Home of Gurdon."

Wray was the former owner and operator of Wray's Cafi for several years.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, November 2.