On June 24, 2015 at 11:25 am, Saline County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to 1423 Steel Bridge Road for a single vehicle traffic accident with injuries. 

Upon arrival, deputies observed a vehicle off the roadway south of Steel Bridge Road with severe damage.  The deputies immediately approached the vehicle and observed that there was one occupant.  The driver, later identified as Tyler Hice, white/male, 22 years of age, from Benton, was unresponsive. 

Members of the Salem Fire Department and Med Tran provided aide to Mr. Hice while rescue personnel attempted to extricate him from the wreckage.  A medivac helicopter was dispatched to the scene for transport of Mr. Hice to a trauma center. 

Although the efforts of the Salem Fire Department, Med Tran paramedics and Saline County Sheriff’s Office deputies were persistent, untiring and determined, Mr. Hice succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by Saline County Coroner Kevin Cleghorn.

Members of the Saline County Sheriff’s Office, Criminal Investigation Division (CID) responded.  Although the investigation is continuing, it has been determined that excessive speed was a factor in this fatality accident.  Mr. Hice was also not wearing a seatbelt. 

It was determined that Mr. Hice’s vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed when it lost control, leaving the north roadway edge of Steel Bridge Road.   It appeared that Mr. Hice attempted to regain control, but began to skid and left the roadway south of Steel Bridge Road.  Two large wooden fence posts were struck and the vehicle then flipped and rolled several times.  CID Detectives have determined that the roadway was dry and there did not appear to be any mechanical defects.

Sheriff Rodney Wright commented that a contributing factor to most vehicular fatality accidents is excessive speed.  Sheriff Wright urged that all citizens and visitors of Saline County abide by the posted speed limit and always wear seat belts.