WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — Arkansas State Police released video from a Feb. 18 traffic stop that escalated into a pursuit reaching speeds of about 90 mph before a trooper performed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) to stop the vehicle.
According to an Arkansas State Police report, a trooper was patrolling near the 281-mile marker of Interstate 40 westbound at approximately 10:26 a.m. when he observed a gray Hyundai Elantra with large cracks in the windshield and a defective driver brake light.
The trooper followed the vehicle onto Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and initiated a traffic stop beneath the Interstate 40 overpass.
During the initial passenger-side approach, the trooper requested the driver’s license and insurance and reported detecting the odor of marijuana. The driver was identified as Keairen D. Myrick, who told the trooper she did not have insurance.
After confirming the information, the trooper returned to the vehicle and again approached on the passenger side to address the odor of marijuana. The trooper ordered Myrick to remove her purse and step out of the vehicle so a probable cause search could be conducted.
Authorities said Myrick slowly removed her purse while looking around before suddenly driving away from the traffic stop.
The trooper returned to his patrol vehicle, activated emergency lights and sirens, and initiated a pursuit.
According to the report, the pursuit reached speeds of approximately 90 mph on MLK while traffic was present. Investigators said Myrick drove in the turning lane before entering the Interstate 55 south entrance ramp.
The trooper then conducted a Tactical Vehicle Intervention, bringing the vehicle to a stop on the entrance ramp. The trooper exited his vehicle and arrested Myrick.
According to the report, Myrick told troopers she had thrown marijuana out of the vehicle as the trooper began the TVI maneuver. Troopers located a plastic bag containing multiple smaller bags of marijuana beneath the vehicle. The marijuana weighed approximately 242 grams, or about 8.5 ounces, according to the report.
Additional plastic bags were also found on the passenger seat inside the vehicle.
Myrick was transported to the Crittenden County Detention Center and was charged with felony fleeing, possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance (more than 4 ounces but less than 10 pounds), possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with physical evidence, reckless driving, speeding more than 15 mph over the limit, no insurance, defective signal lamps, defective equipment, and littering.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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