Berryville woman survives accident that leaves 2 dead

A Berryville woman survived an early-morning accident that left two men dead Friday, Aug. 2, in rural Madison County.

According to a report by Arkansas State Police Trooper Jacob Graham, Rafael Cruz Fermaint, 40, of Springdale was driving a 2010 Toyota Corolla southbound on Arkansas Highway 45 when he lost control coming out of a lefthand curve and crossed the center line. The Corolla struck a northbound 2021 Toyota pickup driven by Lisa Hussey, 56, of Berryville. The Corolla overturned and came to rest on the driver’s side facing south, according to Graham’s report.

Cruz-Fermaint and a passenger in the Corolla, 19-year-old Ulises Lemus-Tobar of Rogers, were killed.

Graham’s report indicated that Hussey was injured and was transported to Mercy hospital in Berryville. A family member confirmed that Hussey was uninjured.

The two fatalies marked the 322nd and 323rd deaths in accidents on Arkansas roadways in 2024. By Sunday, Aug. 4, that number had risen to 328. State police reports indicated a total of 22 people were killed in Arkansas traffic accidents in a six-day span beginning Tuesday, Aug. 30.