VIDEO: Wrong-Way Pursuit on Highway 18 Ends in Crash, Four Injured

JONESBORO, Ark. — A police pursuit that began with the Brookland Police Department and later involved Arkansas State Police ended in a crash that sent four people to local hospitals, according to a newly released ASP report.

The incident happened April 24, 2026. Trooper Nash Thomas reported he was advised by Troop C Communications that Brookland police were pursuing a vehicle and had requested assistance. Brookland police later terminated the pursuit but maintained visual contact with the suspect vehicle as it traveled southbound on Kathleen Street toward Highway 18, according to the report.

Thomas positioned his patrol unit in a driveway near Kathleen Street and Samantha Avenue. Shortly afterward, he reported seeing the suspect vehicle, described as a 2005 gold Chevrolet pickup with Arkansas license plate AZJ11R, traveling southbound toward Highway 18.

The trooper pulled out behind the vehicle and activated his emergency lights in an attempt to initiate a traffic stop, the report said. The pickup immediately accelerated, entered the northbound lane while continuing southbound and approached the intersection of Kathleen Street and Highway 18.

The vehicle then turned east onto the westbound shoulder of Highway 18, traveling about 65 mph, according to the report. Thomas wrote that multiple vehicles were forced to take evasive action to avoid a head-on collision.

After traveling about one-half mile on the wrong side of the roadway, the suspect vehicle crossed the westbound lanes and entered the continuous center turn lane. Thomas reported he attempted to position his unit for a Tactical Vehicle Intervention, or TVI, but was unable to do so because of traffic conditions and the suspect actively evading contact.

The pursuit continued eastbound on Highway 18, with speeds reaching about 100 mph in a posted 55 mph zone, the report said.

As the pursuit approached the curve near Easley Lane, a civilian vehicle entered the center turn lane in an apparent attempt to yield to the trooper’s emergency lights. The suspect vehicle attempted to pass that vehicle and swerved right to avoid oncoming traffic, the report said.

During the maneuver, the suspect vehicle struck the rear of the civilian vehicle at about 80 mph, according to ASP. The impact caused the struck vehicle to rotate counterclockwise, slide across the westbound lanes and collide with another civilian vehicle. Both civilian vehicles were forced off the roadway.

The suspect vehicle continued for about 50 to 60 yards before stopping because of disabling damage, the report said.

The driver, identified as Chase M. Phillips, born Sept. 27, 2005, was taken into custody without incident. Thomas reported Phillips made multiple unsolicited statements indicating he had smoked “bad weed.”

Phillips was transported to St. Bernards Regional Medical Center for medical clearance. While at the hospital, a search warrant for a blood sample was obtained and signed by Judge David Boling. The warrant was executed at about 3:45 p.m., according to the report.

After being medically cleared, Phillips was transported to the Craighead County Detention Center.

A separate crash report was completed. Four people were transported by ambulance to local hospitals for evaluation and treatment of injuries, according to ASP.

Phillips faces charges of felony fleeing in a vehicle, creating a substantial danger of death, second-degree battery, DWI-drugs, reckless driving, speeding more than 15 mph over the limit, no driver’s license, no liability insurance and possession of Schedule VI less than 4 ounces.

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