Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Rosston Man Killed Assisting Motorist

Being a good Samaritan cost a man his life during the New Year's holiday.

Friday, Dec. 29, a 24-year-old Rosston man lost his life while trying to help a stranded motorist.

Charles Mitchell Jr., the victim, was heading west on Arkansas Highway 32 near Hope when he saw a van broken down on the side of the road.

Stopping to help was his first bad decision.

The van, driven by Glendell Clayton, 63, of Emmet, had run out of gas. At about 8 p.m., Mitchell stopped to offer his assistance, according to reports from the Arkansas State Police.

As the two walked back to Mitchell's car, which was protruding into the traffic lane on the wrong side of the road, Mitchell was sideswiped and killed by a pickup truck. The truck, according to reports, was driven by Joni Stockslager, 23, of Hope.

ASP reports state Mitchell was illegally parked at the time. Trooper Darren Neal said the accident would never have occurred had Mitchell not walked in the roadway and parked illegally.

According to the report, Mitchell was not run over, but was struck and killed. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

No charges will be filed in the case because Mitchell was walking in the road and was illegally parked.