By Jody Norwood

Tribune-Courier News Editor

jnorwood@tribunecourier.com

HARDIN – A Benton man was killed Monday when his truck overturned on Hwy. 402 East/Aurora Highway in Hardin.

Rickie Thomas Jones, 49, was pronounced deceased on scene after emergency workers freed him from his truck. The truck had been pulling a trailer, both of which overturned at the intersection of Commerce Street and Hwy. 402. According to officials with the highway department, Jones’ trailer was carrying tobacco.

Accident reconstructionist Deputy Nathan Maxlow determined a vehicle driven by Chris Caruthers, 35, was making a left turn from Commerce Street onto Hwy. 402 and pulled into Jones’ path. Jones continued east, ran off the left shoulder, struck a ditch, and overturned. A passenger in the vehicle, Ignacio Lozano, 43, of Benton was transported by EMS to Marshall County Hospital.

Caruthers, of Hardin, was uninjured.

The case remains under investigation by Deputy Maxlow and the Marshall County Coroner’s Office.

The crash occurred just before 8 a.m. Monday morning. Responders closed Hwy. 402 briefly as the overturned truck and trailer crossed both lanes.

Collier Funeral Home in Benton is in charge of arrangements.