"Start off with the statutory immunity premise. The pursuit reached speeds of 110 mph. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Brandon Margis advised that due to Battenfields extremely reckless driving, and lack of due regard for the safety of the public that I needed to get the pickup stopped immediately. We werent able to find any more details about the age of the driver or the charges hell face, but its likely the last time hell be taking daddys Corvette for a spin, at least for the foreseeable future. Three Arkansas law enforcement officers have been removed from duty and are facing state and federal investigations, officials confirmed Monday, after bystander video captured at least two of. The chase ended with a PIT maneuver by Arkansas State Police Trooper Tanner Middlecoff, which caused a womans death. Need help? Email corrections@realworldpolice.com The study findings also indicated most violators who fled from the police hadn't committed offenses for which they could be arrested and taken into custody. - A newly-released video shows an Arkansas state trooper crashing head on into a suspect's car after a chase on Interstate 530 in Jefferson County last month. "When I go back and I look at what started this whole mess, it's like this guy was driving left of center and this proceeded into a high-speed chase at 105 mph," Staggs said. "Public safety and liability are really the only reasons why people reform, and, if it's not a progressive chief, then it's just going to be liability," Alpert said. This video is intended for educational and news reporting purposes. At approximately 6:53 AM, I checked In-Service with Troop H Dispatch and traveled towards U.S. 71 from State Highway 45.At approximately 6:54 AM, at the intersection of State Highway 45 and U.S. 71, I joined the pursuit as it traveled north on U.S. 71, soon becoming the lead vehicle in the pursuit. Just looked the kid up in the court system. Region 8 Investigates: ASP releases dash camera video in deadly chase, Trip to Mr. Ts pays off for lucky lottery winner, Jonesboro police investigating 2 reported shootings, Police investigating after student brings gun to school. Barney Davis. 2022Recurrent Ventures. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. A 2020 study by the National Institute of Justice found serious offenders were a minority of those who fled from police, and those who fled from the police in vehicles did so regardless of whether the police responded with a high-speed pursuit. [VIDEO] Jesse Iwuji: The C8 Z06 is the Best American SupercarEver. At that point, the officer quickly exits the police car and runs toward the suspect, telling him repeatedly as he approaches to stay on the ground, dont move and you wont get shot and put your phone down!. ALABAMA POLICE CHASE ENDS IN SUSPECT'S PASSENGER'S DEATH, Police near Little Rock, Arkansas, fatally shot a suspect who apparently fired shots at them during a chase. Staggs' insurance paid for her medical care and rehab and replaced her Jeep. All Rights Reserved. Michigan deer seen jumping over car on police dashcam, Dashcam video shows shipping container falling on police cruiser, over South Carolina bridge, Windshield covers and other handy gear you need for, 18 trendy cowboy boots to wear this winter, 18 books youll want to read on Dr. Seuss Day, Jack in the Box to open first location in Arkansas, Multiple officers shot during standoff in Kansas, Sanders start AR Parks centennial with Petit Jean, I-40 WB opens after semi-truck crash in NLR, Embattled UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigns, Zelensky: There will be two Victory Days in Ukraine. Few things are easier to examine with the benefit of hindsight than a police chase, where potentially dangerous decisions must be made in the blink of an eye by responding officers. The investigation began on October 3 after a 911 call initially described as a robbery in progress at the Dollar General, located at 5431 Southwest Drive. After 17 minutes on the run, the Arkansas State Police took over the chase as Battenfield weaved down Zero Street in Fort Smith at speeds exceeding 100 mph (160 km/h). An officer said in the JPD body cam video to show me your hands, while another said, down on your knees.. In another instance, the state trooper said Jonesboro dispatch needed more training when announcing an armed robbery or shoplifting. ASP investigators said the incident started just after 1 a.m. on October 13 when a trooper said he saw a black sport bike without a license plate on Asher Avenue in Little Rock and began a pursuit. In the area of 66th Street, the pickup began crossing into the westbound traffic lanes meeting traffic at a high rate of speed.After I relayed the suspects actions to Troop H Dispatch, Sgt. Those hp cops were stupid to chase @ night on a 2 lane highway @ those speeds. Once the Arkansas State Police started their pursuit the pickup had been speeding along Zero Street at over 110 mph. Luis Salinas was suspected of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol March 6 when a Tontitown police officer saw him cross the centerline on U.S. 412, according to police reports. IE 11 is not supported. Albright said Lincoln officers often know the person they're dealing with and where to find them, so it's safer to just pick them up later. AR 72401 (870) 931-8888; Public Inspection File . When the officer tried to stop Salinas near the Harmon Road intersection, Salinas hit the gas, heading west on U.S. 412 toward Siloam Springs. The Arkansas State Police have extensive policies and procedures in place regarding pursuits and troopers are trained annually in both pursuit procedures and precision immobilization techniques, according to Bill Sadler, public information officer. "He's supposed to go to court in Washington and in Benton County since it started in Tontitown and ended in Siloam. "I don't care if he's brake-checking you. (AP) A man accused of firing at Arkansas officers after leading them on a chase was fatally shot early Sunday, according to authorities. Cathy Staggs, her husband and brother-in-law pulled to the side of the road and waited for police to pass when they heard sirens and saw flashing blue lights coming up behind them in Siloam Springs just after midnight March 6. "She cried herself to sleep," Norwood told NBC News on Wednesday. "You can't sue a police department or anything, and this guy that hit us was out on parole, he'd already been in trouble with the law," Staggs said. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Authorities say a man accused of firing at Arkansas officers after leading them on a chase has been fatally shot, Man Fatally Shot by Arkansas Officers After Car Chase. Battenfield died in the crash. That's an average of 355 per year, or nearly one a day. Quick thinking by troopers can also protect motorists and bystanders in high-speed chases. or redistributed. Bystanders hit in Arkansas police chases left with the bill by Ron Wood | July 10, 2022 at 2:14 a.m. Cathy Staggs, her husband and brother-in-law pulled to the side of the road and waited for. Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com. "When we go to make a traffic stop, typically we're calling in the license plate before we turn on our blue lights, so we already have some identifiable information, and we can use that and do some research and figure out who's driving," McInnis said. I will take the 5th on my highest speeds with my C8 off the track. The report was reviewed by everyone involved in hopes of responding better in the future. "My husband, who was driving, all he got was a scratch on his elbow. But an exam by her OB-GYN the next morning did pick up the heartbeat, and Harper's daughter was born in February. Authorities said the man was rushed to the burn unit at Arkansas Childrens Hospital and that he is currently stable and expected to survive. The guy had no insurance.". According to a news release, the North Little. Arkansas State Police said the chase began just after 4:30 p.m. Sunday, July 24, 2022, in Forrest City when the trooper tried to stop 19-year-old John Bomar of Kentucky for a traffic violation. PIT maneuvers involve law enforcement officers using their vehicles to strike the rear side of a fleeing car, causing it to spin and end the pursuit. Pursuit policies vary, but they're largely a judgment call based on the perceived risk. While executing the PIT, my unit collided with the passenger side of the suspect vehicle. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Arkansas State Police immediately announced a joint probe, those don't always bring about a clean end either. Man faces multiple charges after police chase ends in crash, Trip to Mr. Ts pays off for lucky lottery winner, Jonesboro police investigating 2 reported shootings, Police investigating after student brings gun to school. "The state police particularly have a record of getting involved in these crazy chases at ridiculously high speeds and even using PIT maneuvers at a hundred miles an hour," Alpert said of precision immobilization techniques. All agencies said, the call came in as an armed robbery, and given the suspects' reaction in traffic, they continued the chase. (Fox News). We can't just back off and let this guy continue to go that way without trying to intervene at some point because if he continues, he could potentially kill someone. (KAIT) - Jonesboro police released the names of those involved in a robbery ending with the suspects crashing, killing one Saturday night. Alexa Hernandez, 28, was taken into custody. I have met many cops that are not aholes. Related: That's been fairly consistent," Alpert said. That investigation is still ongoing; however, the department issued a statement to KFSM Newsthis week generally defending the use of the PIT (pursuit intervention technique) maneuver, where an officer purposefully spins out a fleeing suspect by ramming one of the car's rear fenders. Arkansas State Police are investigating a Thursday night car chase in North Little Rock that ended with the death of an unidentified suspect. In April, a guy named Justin Battenfield led police on a 20-mile chase before the Arkansas State Police supervisor authorized a PIT maneuver. "They were certainly on the rise and have somewhat leveled off, but they're still high compared to what they were five or 10 years ago.". "It's essentially a bowling alley with bumpers on both sides," Norwood said. I mean, were still covered though, but I mean, wow.. According to a post on Motorious, the suspect was borrowing his dad's Corvette when he was pulled over by the state police on July 25. I was in this car crash, and my Jeep was totaled," said Staggs, who works in the business office at the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He and his son, Chris, also a Corvette enthusiast, served as Captains of the 2014 Georgia Corvette Caravan. Dashcam video from a deadly Arkansas State Police chase in Fort Smith has now been released. U.S. news Arkansas woman suing police after brief chase ends with her car flipped on its top Motorist Nicole Harper was two months pregnant and believed the crash had killed her unborn baby.. Broken in three spots. In addition to speeding, Harper is being charged with failing to yield to an emergency vehicle, which carries a maximum penalty of a $400 fine. They all have a god complex. It's why law enforcement agencies of all sizes and jurisdictions maintain guidelines for pursuing suspectsand why a deadly PIT maneuver that capped off a chase in Arkansas earlier this month is now drawing attention. Monday: Closed (KSLA) When the pursuit crossed the state line into Arkansas, troopers with Arkansas State Police joined the chase, with speeds up to 130 mph. The trooper immediately did a 180-degree turnaround and drove back to see the red SUV on its top, footage showed. Staggs' leg was broken in three places. According to E-911 Director Jeff Presley, the situation has been reviewed and an after-action report has been completed. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Harper was going 84 mph in a 70-mph zone when trooper Rodney Dunn turned on his siren and flashed lights for her to pull over, according to her lawsuit filed last month in Pulaski County Circuit Court. According to the Greene County Sheriff's Office . Your Arkansas.gov Governor Sarah . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. (KAIT) -A man faces multiple charges after police said he led them on a high-speed chase that ended with him slamming into a pole. Officials stated that at approximately 6:30 a.m. that day, a U.S. Forestry Service officer had spotted a truck run a stoplight, which authorities later stated was operated at the time by 34-year-old Justin Battenfield. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. A few moments of this footage have been widely circulated, largely without context. An extensive post-mortem is done on every pursuit to learn and to reinforce good decisions and bad decisions that were made one-on-one with the trooper and as a whole across the department, Sadler said. Now they have a wreaked Corvette and could have had other victims as well. Nicole Harper, 38, went to bed on July 9 believing her unborn child had died in the crash on U.S. Highway 167 in Jacksonville, Arkansas, her lawyer Andrew Norwood said. Was that Corvette a C5? Stupidthey had the license number. Technology, performance and design delivered to your inbox. While being pursued by Faulkner County deputies and officers with Conway police, Helton allegedly fired at officers, authorities said. The chase weaved through traffic and reached speeds of 110 mph. We've got a limit on how many are going to be in it and is it justified," Albright said. Friday: 11:30 AM 8:00 PM RUSSELLVILLE, AR A high speed car chase caused an Arkansas State Police trooper to wreck his patrol car. A . Authorities allege that after his vehicle stopped, Helton pulled out a gun, prompting three state troopers and one Mayflower police officer to fire their weapons. "There's nowhere to go; you're boxed in by concrete barriers on both sides.". 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. ", "This happened March 6, and I was in the hospital for 12 days. Arkansas State Police doesn't publicize its pursuit guidelines, but WVTM Newsreports that the decision to call off a chase can be made "by the primary unit or ordered by a supervisor at any time during the pursuit." You pay the limits.". If the answer is no, you're kind of done at that point.". Contact ASP Arkansas State Police One State Police Plaza Dr Little Rock, AR 72209 501-618-8000 Helpful ASP links There's always some type of event here in Bentonville. The summaries are not considered official reports of a highway crash investigation, but merely a summary of preliminary information presented to an investigating officer. Fox News Flash top headlines for January 9. Tom Kieklak, an attorney who represents several smaller cities in Northwest Arkansas including Lowell, Elkins and West Fork, said the law makes it difficult for people who are injured or have property damage from a police pursuit to recover money from cities. Skip to content . Kenneth Albright, chief of police in Lincoln, said for his department's pursuit policy he borrowed liberally from the Washington County sheriff's office, where he served for years. "But, I guess my whole thing was, I've driven Tontitown to Siloam a whole lot, could you not have the Siloam Springs police lay down strips sooner, before he ever hit the Siloam Springs city limits? John Wilkerson, general counsel with the Arkansas Municipal League, said he cannot recall the organization ever having a case where it paid a claim to an individual for a police chase in his 16 years there. Arkansas police chase ends with motorcyclist engulfed in fireball by: Bill Smith, Mitch McCoy, Nexstar Media Wire. "If a city car hits somebody, then that's easy. "I believe the recent payment by Fayetteville to a homeowner who was flooded when a water main burst is permitted by that law.". "That is something that each trooper has to make that judgment call on," Sadler said. The driver of a suspected stolen car died when it crashed into a tree and caught fire during a police chase, according to Arkansas police. 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