A 21-year-old Augusta woman was killed and another Augusta woman was injured Monday night, October 12, 2026, when a vehicle left State Highway 33 and struck a bridge railing in Woodruff County.
According to an Arkansas State Police fatal crash report, the accident occurred at approximately 9:45 PM on State Highway 33 at Camp Howdy Road near Augusta.
The deceased passenger was identified as Celeste Shaniece Laird, 21, of Augusta.
The driver, Makensea Janet Durham, 20, also of Augusta, was injured in the crash.
JEEP LEFT HIGHWAY AND STRUCK BRIDGE RAILING
According to Arkansas State Police, Durham was driving a 2014 Jeep Patriot southbound on State Highway 33 when the vehicle left the roadway.
The Jeep struck a bridge railing, causing the vehicle to overturn.
Laird, who was riding as a passenger, suffered fatal injuries.
Durham was injured and transported to UAMS for medical treatment.
The official crash report does not specify the extent of Durham’s injuries.
WEATHER CLEAR AND ROADWAY DRY
Arkansas State Police reported that weather conditions were clear and the roadway was dry when the accident occurred.
The report does not specify what caused the Jeep to leave the highway.
The accident occurred near Camp Howdy Road in Woodruff County, just outside Augusta.
STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE FATAL ACCIDENT
Arkansas State Police Trooper Steven Plyler, Badge 475, investigated the fatal accident.
According to the report, Laird’s body was held by the Woodruff County Coroner.
The crash report indicates that next of kin had been notified.
The report lists one fatality and one injury.
Both women involved in the crash were Augusta residents.
The fatal crash is listed as Fatal Crash Number 375 for 2026, with Accident Number 359.
ArkansasRadio.com will continue to follow developments as additional information becomes available.
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OFFICIAL CRASH REPORT DETAILS
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FATAL CRASH NUMBER:
375
ACCIDENT NUMBER:
359
DATE:
Monday, October 12, 2026
TIME:
9:45 PM
LOCATION:
State Highway 33 at Camp Howdy Road
CITY:
Augusta, Arkansas
COUNTY:
Woodruff County
DECEASED:
Celeste Shaniece Laird
Age: 21
Residence: Augusta, Arkansas
Position: Passenger
INJURED:
Makensea Janet Durham
Age: 20
Residence: Augusta, Arkansas
Position: Driver
VEHICLE:
2014 Jeep Patriot
DIRECTION:
Southbound on State Highway 33
CRASH DESCRIPTION:
Vehicle left the roadway, struck a bridge railing and overturned.
WEATHER:
Clear
ROADWAY:
Dry
INJURED TRANSPORTED TO:
UAMS
BODY HELD AT:
Woodruff County Coroner
NEXT OF KIN:
Notified
INVESTIGATING OFFICER:
Trooper Steven Plyler
Badge Number 475
AGENCY:
Arkansas State Police
TOTAL FATALITIES:
1
TOTAL INJURED:
1
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