The small town of Lake City, Arkansas, was struck by tragedy on Friday when a head-on collision involving an ambulance claimed the lives of two individuals, including a paramedic. The incident occurred at 10:26 a.m. on State Highway 18 at the intersection of Highway 158, sending shockwaves through the community and beyond.
According to the preliminary fatal crash report released by Arkansas State Police, 67-year-old Janet Chapman of Blytheville, Arkansas, was traveling eastbound in her 2024 Nissan Sentra when she crossed the center lane and entered the inside westbound lane. Chapman’s vehicle collided head-on with a 2018 Ford E-350 ambulance driven by 54-year-old Cheri Gibson of Paragould, Arkansas, who was accompanied by her husband, Mark Gibson, a paramedic on board the ambulance.
Tragically, both Chapman and Mark Gibson lost their lives in the crash, leaving behind a wave of grief and sadness in their wake. Cheri Gibson, who is an EMT, and the ambulance’s passenger, 72-year-old Phyllis Moore of Manila, Arkansas, sustained injuries in the collision, adding to the devastation of the situation.
Emerson Ambulance Service, the company to which the ambulance belonged, confirmed their involvement in the tragic accident, expressing their sorrow and asking for thoughts and prayers for those affected by the incident. The news of the deadly crash was reported by Jonesboro-Craighead County E-911 at 10:40 a.m. on Friday, further underscoring the severity of the situation.
The West Memphis Fire Department, where Mark Gibson had served the community for nearly 30 years, also issued a statement asking for prayers for Cheri Gibson and the extended family of the Gibsons as they navigate through their grief and begin the healing process. The department highlighted Mark Gibson’s dedication and service by leading a procession of emergency vehicles with red and blue lights escorting his body to Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro, Arkansas, as a tribute to his years of service.
The touching display of support and respect from various departments and community members lining the streets to honor Mark Gibson’s memory serves as a reminder of the tight-knit nature of small towns and the profound impact of such a tragic event on the community as a whole. The loss of two lives in the line of duty is a stark reminder of the risks that first responders face every day in their commitment to serving and protecting others.
As the community mourns the loss of Mark Gibson and Janet Chapman, their memories will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved them. The outpouring of support and solidarity in the aftermath of this devastating incident serves as a testament to the resilience and strength of the Lake City community in the face of adversity.