Fort Smith Police identify woman killed in Thursday night pedestrian accident near the intersection of Towson and South W

A 32-year-old Fort Smith woman died Thursday evening after she was struck by a vehicle while crossing Towson Avenue near South W Street.

Ariel Vongvilay was identified as the pedestrian who died in the crash, which occurred at approximately 7:11 p.m. on November 5 in the 2300 block of Towson Avenue, just south of the Economy Suites Fort Smith motel at 2301 Towson Avenue in Sebastian County.

According to the Fort Smith Police Department accident report, Vongvilay was crossing Towson Avenue when she was hit by a southbound 2015 Jeep Cherokee. Weather conditions were clear and the roadway was dry at the time. No other injuries were reported in the collision.

The Fort Smith Police Department initially issued a traffic alert around 7:30 p.m. Thursday describing a vehicle-pedestrian crash with serious injuries near Towson Avenue and South W Street, and officers asked drivers to use alternate routes while the scene was cleared. The official accident report later confirmed the outcome as fatal.

Vongvilay’s body was held at the Sebastian County Coroner’s Office, and next of kin were notified. Officer Breedlove, badge number 4788, of the Fort Smith Police Department is listed as the investigating officer. The report’s initial narrative states simply that the pedestrian was crossing Towson Avenue when the vehicle struck her.

This incident marked the second vehicle-pedestrian collision reported by Fort Smith police in a two-day span. Early Wednesday morning, officers responded to another pedestrian struck near Jenny Lind Road and Houston Street in the 3600 block of Jenny Lind Road, near The Sanctuary Pentecostal Church.

Injuries in that case were not detailed in the initial release.

Fort Smith police have not released additional details about the circumstances that led to Thursday’s crash, the actions of the Jeep’s driver, or any potential charges. The investigation remains ongoing. Vongvilay was a resident of Fort Smith. Public records associate her with prior addresses in the city and in Pocola, Oklahoma, and list past employment as a certified nursing assistant with the Van Buren County Health Department

. No further personal details were included in the accident report. Police have not indicated whether alcohol, speed, or other factors are under investigation in this case.