Michael Cordes, Freda Cordes die in Benton County DWI wreck

clock Created with Sketch Beta. March 30, 2026
Michael Cordes, Freda Cordes die in Benton County DWI wreck

AVOCA, AR, (March 26, 2026) — Two people were killed in a crash involving an alleged drunken driver Thursday afternoon near Avoca in Benton County.

According to Arkansas State Police, Michael Cordes was operating a Harley-Davidson motorcycle with passenger Freda Cordes when the vehicle was struck by a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Jose Luis Gamez at about 12:30 p.m. on U.S. Highway 62 at Russell Road.

Investigators said the collision occurred when the Tahoe entered the motorcycle’s path.

Michael Cordes, 70, and Freda Cordes, 67, were both pronounced dead at the scene.

Gamez was arrested and faces two counts of negligent homicide, one count of first-offense DWI, and one count of improper entry or exit at an intersection. Authorities said he is also being held for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The crash remains under investigation.

Incident Location


FATAL DWI CRASH INVESTIGATION

Drunk drivers pose a significant danger to motorcyclists as alcohol affects judgment, slows reaction times, and reduces coordination.

When impaired, drivers are less likely to detect motorcycles, which are already more difficult to see because of their smaller size. On average, about 34 people lose their lives every day in drunk-driving crashes in the U.S.—equating to one death every 42 minutes. Candice Bond, an experienced DUI accident attorney, weighed in on incidents like this.

“Separate from criminal charges, a victim’s family may be eligible to pursue compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party,” said Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal and a national analyst for Accident Injury News. “By serving as an advocate, an attorney can help guide grieving families through this difficult time, safeguard their legal rights, and ensure that impaired drivers are held accountable.”


WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM

The family members of Michael Cordes and Freda Cordes may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim. Families of wrongful death victims may pursue damages for loss of companionship, pain, suffering, and emotional distress following such a tragic accident.

“We recognize the hardships families endure in these situations, and protecting their rights is crucial,” said Stefano Formica, Of Counsel with Bond Legal. “A wrongful death attorney will monitor the official investigation and help ensure the family’s best interests are protected. Loved ones may seek compensation for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic event.”


(This report is based on verified data - learn more on our About Us page.)


If your loved one has been killed by a drunken driver and would like a no-cost consultation, please contact our national legal analyst Candice Bond today

(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Accident Injury News can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-986-7738 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).

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