VIDEO: Pursuit Ends After Suspect Strikes Patrol Vehicles During St. Francis County Chase

ST. FRANCIS COUNTY, Ark. — A vehicle pursuit that began in Madison ended Feb. 20 after Arkansas State Police and local officers used tactical maneuvers to stop a suspect who allegedly struck multiple patrol vehicles during the chase.

Advertisement
Advertisement

According to an Arkansas State Police report, Trooper Ke’von Medley was dispatched to assist Madison Police Department officers who were pursuing a vehicle westbound on Highway 334 toward St. Francis County.

Officers from the Madison Police Department, St. Francis County Sheriff’s Office, and Palestine Police Department were already involved in the pursuit when Medley responded. The suspect vehicle continued westbound on Highway 334 as officers attempted to stop it.

Authorities attempted a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) maneuver on the highway, but the driver regained control and continued fleeing. A second TVI attempt was also unsuccessful as the suspect continued to evade officers, according to the report.

The pursuit moved south onto South Washington Street before the suspect drove into a grassy area in an apparent attempt to turn around. The vehicle then continued onto South Rosser Street.

Investigators said the suspect attempted to turn onto East Davis Street and collided with a Palestine Police Department patrol unit. The driver then attempted to reverse and struck Trooper Medley’s patrol vehicle, causing damage before coming to a stop at the intersection of South Rosser Street and East Davis Street.

Officers conducted a felony traffic stop and took the driver, identified as Jonathan Howard, into custody without further incident.

During a search of the vehicle, Medley reported finding approximately 12 aluminum cans containing alcoholic beverages, several of which were open and partially consumed. The trooper also reported smelling alcohol inside the vehicle and from Howard.

According to the report, Howard displayed signs of impairment, including slurred speech, bloodshot and watery eyes, and difficulty standing without assistance.

Howard was transported to Forrest City Medical Center after complaining of a head injury following the collision, but declined medical treatment. During the hospital visit, authorities said he became agitated and kicked a deputy.

Afterward, he was transported to the St. Francis County Detention Center, where standardized field sobriety tests were conducted. Medley reported observing six out of six clues on the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, indicating impairment. Howard declined to participate in additional sobriety tests and refused to submit to chemical testing.

Howard was arrested and booked into the St. Francis County Detention Center.

He faces charges including fleeing in a vehicle, driving while intoxicated, refusal to submit to a chemical test, two counts of aggravated assault, first-degree criminal mischief, possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, and careless and prohibited driving.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.