Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gurdon Teen Killed In Wreck

Sunday dawned hot, beautiful and deadly as a Gurdon resident was killed in a one-vehicle accident on Highway 67.

According to reports from the Arkansas State Police, a 1988 Buick, driven by Sandra Adams, 25, of Stamps, struck the south end of a bridge, ripping the vehicle open from the front of the car to the right rear quarter panel.

Lelia D. Cornish, 17, of Gurdon, a passenger, was ejected from the car and killed.

According to the ASP, three other children in the vehicle were also ejected and seriously injured. Sandra Adams was the only one in the car when officers arrived at the scene around 6:20 a.m.

Also injured were Robin Robinson, 10, of Gurdon, Desiree Adams, 6, and Iesha Adams, 3, both of Stamps.

According to reports, the vehicle was traveling north on 67 when it crossed the fog line on the right side of the highway and struck the bridge.

Robinson and Desiree Adams were initially flown to St. Michael Hospital in Texarkana, Texas by Life Net, but were later transferred to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock. Sandra and Iesha Adams were taken to Baptist Medical Center in Arkadelphia.

The accident was worked by ASP Trooper Scott Clairday. Also on the scene assisting were officers from the Gurdon Police Department, the Clark County Sheriff's Office and the Prescott Police Department. In addition, ambulances from Baptist in Arkadelphia and the Nevada County Ambulance Service were on hand to help.