A 61-year-old Quitman man was killed Saturday morning, October 10, 2026, when his motorcycle left the roadway and overturned on State Highway 5 South in rural Cleburne County.
The Arkansas State Police identified the victim as Jay Ryan, 61, of Quitman.
According to the preliminary fatal crash summary, the accident happened at approximately 10:56 AM.
Ryan was operating a 2007 Harley-Davidson motorcycle northbound on State Highway 5 when the crash occurred.
MOTORCYCLE LEFT ROADWAY WHILE NEGOTIATING CURVE
Arkansas State Police investigators reported that Ryan was traveling north on State Highway 5 and negotiating a left curve when he lost control of the motorcycle.
The motorcycle left the roadway and overturned.
Ryan was killed in the single-vehicle crash.
The preliminary report lists 1 fatality and no additional injuries.
Authorities have not identified what caused Ryan to lose control while negotiating the curve.
CLEAR WEATHER AND DRY ROAD CONDITIONS
According to the Arkansas State Police preliminary crash report, weather conditions were clear at the time of the accident.
The roadway was listed as dry.
Investigators did not report adverse weather or wet pavement as factors in the crash.
The report does not establish whether speed, mechanical problems or another factor contributed to the accident.
ARKANSAS STATE POLICE INVESTIGATING
Corporal Jess Burris, badge number 398, investigated the fatal motorcycle crash.
The report indicates that Ryan’s body was held by the Cleburne County Coroner.
Arkansas State Police also confirmed that next of kin had been notified.
The crash is listed as Fatal Crash Number 369 and Accident Number 353 in the department’s 2026 preliminary fatal crash records.
The preliminary summary documents the circumstances known to investigators but does not provide a final determination of what caused Ryan to lose control.
FATAL CRASH REPORTED IN CLEBURNE COUNTY
The crash occurred in rural Cleburne County, along State Highway 5 South.
The incident is another reminder of the potential dangers facing motorists and motorcycle riders on Arkansas highways.
2026 FATAL CRASH SUMMARIES:
https://asp-fatal.ark.org/summaries/2026
SOURCE:
Arkansas State Police
Preliminary Fatal Crash Summary
Fatal Number 369
Accident Number 353
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