Leanna Stanfill Injured in Head-On Crash on U.S. 62 Black River Relief Bridge, Clay County, AR – December 18, 2025

On December 18, 2025, in Clay County, Arkansas, Leanna Stanfill of Paragould was injured in a head-on collision on the U.S. 62 Black River Relief Bridge. According to the Arkansas State Police preliminary report, the crash occurred at approximately 2:35 p.m. when a westbound 2022 Toyota Corolla crossed the center line and struck Stanfill’s eastbound 2022 Dodge Charger. Both vehicles came to rest in the roadway before an additional eastbound 2013 Nissan Juke collided with the Corolla.

The driver of the Corolla, Joseph Blurton of Wardell, Missouri, was pronounced dead. Stanfill was transported to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for treatment of her injuries. Authorities reported that rain and wet road conditions were present at the time of the crash. The incident remains part of an official investigation as state police review the sequence of events that led to the fatal crossing of lanes on the bridge.