Two area sheriff’s departments — Independence County and Jackson County — joined forces Monday to rescue a man who had driven off State Highway 37, southeast of Cord and into the Black River.
With the heavy rains over the past few days, the Black River was out of its banks and covering a portion of the highway, which carries traffic from the Cord area to Jackson County.
Both counties had warning signs before entering the area covered with water, and there were other signs noting not to enter when the roadway is underwater.
Independence County Sheriff Shawn Stephens said the man ignored three signs before he went off the highway and into the water, where he obviously, could not move his vehicle.
Stephens said when the man was rescued and brought out, he was happy to have been rescued from the danger — and surprised that he was issued three citations by the Arkansas State Police — one citation for each warning sign he ignored.
Stephens said the signs are for the public’s safety and not just put there to be ignored.
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