Felony warrant issued Monday after man who flipped his vehicle Friday on I-555 left hospital
JONESBORO, Ark. – After a felony chase that ended with a flipped vehicle on I-555 on Friday, somehow, the suspect got away. But as of about 3 PM Tuesday, he was arrested again.
The Jonesboro Police Department announced a felony bench warrant for David Swanner in relation to an incident that occurred on Friday, February 28. Swanner was seen in the Kroger parking lot leaving the scene of three consecutive hit and run accidents. Police said in a release that he proceeded to drive recklessly down Caraway Rd, Highland Dr, Bernard St, and Race St. During this time, JPD officers were put on high alert and all officers were instructed to be on the lookout for the vehicle.
JPD Officer Anderson was on Windover Road at the time and heard the BOLO call go out on the radio. He made his way to the intersection of Race St and Browns Ln and saw the suspect’s vehicle directly across the intersection from him. He proceeded to follow the vehicle south down Browns Lane and saw it accelerate before missing the right turn by Barton’s. Officer Anderson witnessed the suspect flip over the cable barrier median and come to a rest in the middle of I555.
At the same time, CCSO Deputy Iglehart was driving on Browns Lane Acces and witnessed the vehicle flip into the lane in front of him. Both Deputy Iglehart and Officer Anderson surrounded the vehicle and placed the suspect under arrest after a brief struggle. He was transported to a local hospital for a required blood draw.
Before Swanner’s vehicle was flipped back over and towed, first responders with the Jonesboro Fire Department noticed a small tupperware box magnetically affixed to the undercarriage of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the box was found to have approximately 215 grams of methamphetamine along with 40 unidentified pills.
Swanner had previously been arrested on February 8 for possession of 130 grams of methamphetamine and Alprazolam during a parole search.
While at the hospital, Swanner was able to get away from authorities. According to the press release from JPD, no one at the hospital notified them when he was released.
A felony warrant was issued through JPD on Monday. By Tuesday, police had him back in custody.
DTF received information about Swanner’s whereabouts and were able to make entry at his location in north Jonesboro. Swanner was placed into custody after a brief struggle and was transported to CCDC to await his probable cause hearing. – JPD
Police have said he will be charged with leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, fleeing, trafficking a controlled substance, and DWI – drugs.
Should have left officer with him if wanted to know when ready for discharge Not hospital’s responsibility to guard suspect