Johnathon Edwards and Michael Benjamin Morris: Two Fatal I-40 Crashes Near Coal Hill, Arkansas, Within 17 Hours

Two men, Johnathon Edwards, 22, and Michael Benjamin Morris, 46, died in separate Interstate 40 crashes near Coal Hill, Arkansas, on November 2 and 3, 2026.

Two Separate Interstate 40 Crashes Leave Two Families Mourning

Two fatal crashes on Interstate 40 near Coal Hill, Arkansas, claimed the lives of Johnathon Edwards, 22, and Michael Benjamin Morris, 46, less than 17 hours apart. Both incidents involved vehicles leaving the highway and striking trees, according to Arkansas State Police crash summaries and local reporting.

Although the crashes happened along the same stretch of interstate, they occurred on different days, in opposite directions and under different weather conditions. Authorities treated them as separate incidents.

Johnathon Edwards, 22, killed in eastbound I-40 crash

The first crash occurred on Monday, November 2, at approximately 2:06 p.m. Edwards, of Coal Hill, was driving a 2015 Ram pickup eastbound near mile marker 47 in Johnson County.

The Arkansas State Police fatal crash summary states that the pickup left the roadway and struck a tree. Weather conditions were clear, and the pavement was dry. Edwards was the only person listed as deceased, with no additional injuries reported. His body was held by the Johnson County Coroner.

Michael Benjamin Morris, 46, dies in westbound I-40 crash

The second fatal collision happened early Tuesday, November 3, at approximately 7:03 a.m. Michael Benjamin Morris, 46, of Estill Springs, Tennessee, was driving a 2024 Ford westbound near mile marker 53.

According to the Arkansas State Police summary, his vehicle also left the roadway and struck a tree. However, conditions were different from those during Edwards’ crash: rain was falling, and the road was wet.

Morris was the only fatality listed in the report, and no additional injuries were recorded. His body was held at the Johnson County Coroner’s Office.

Two tragedies less than 17 hours apart

The two crashes occurred approximately 16 hours and 57 minutes apart, roughly six miles from one another. Edwards was travelling eastbound, while Morris was travelling westbound.

The similarities are notable, but the incidents remain separate investigations. The available summaries do not establish why either vehicle left the interstate, and no specific mechanical, medical or other contributing factor should be assumed.

Arkansas State Police investigated both collisions.

For the families and friends of Edwards and Morris, the incidents represent two individual losses rather than simply two entries in a highway crash report. Our condolences go to everyone mourning both men.

Key Details

Disclaimer

The identities, ages, crash dates, locations, vehicles and preliminary circumstances are supported by Arkansas State Police fatal crash summaries. The summaries represent initial findings and are not necessarily the final conclusions of an investigation. They do not establish why either vehicle left the roadway.

No family relationships, occupations, funeral arrangements or personal characteristics have been added because those details were not established by the available sources.