VIDEO: Trooper Wrecks Out During TVI

WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — A 19-year-old driver was arrested after Arkansas State Police said he fled from a traffic stop at speeds above 130 mph before a Tactical Vehicle Intervention ended the pursuit and caused a trooper’s vehicle to crash into a concrete barrier.

The incident happened around 9:27 p.m. April 24, when Trooper Wright #574 observed a black Hyundai Genesis traveling north on Interstate 55 near the 3-mile marker, according to an Arkansas State Police incident report. The vehicle’s tags were expired by five months, and the vehicle did not show proof of insurance.

Wright reported that he activated his emergency lights near Broadway and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The vehicle continued to a red light before turning right onto MLK and accelerating away from the stop.

The pursuit continued north on MLK, where Wright reported speeds of about 100 mph in a 35 mph zone. The vehicle then turned onto Interstate 40 eastbound from the 280-mile marker.

As the pursuit approached the 281-mile marker near the Mound City Road entrance ramp, Wright reported attempting to move into position for a TVI. The vehicle swerved toward him at about 130 mph, causing him to swerve to avoid it, the report said.

Trooper Dairren Evans joined the pursuit as the secondary unit. Wright reported that the fleeing vehicle continued eastbound on I-40 at speeds above 130 mph, drove onto the shoulder multiple times, and intentionally drove near other motorists.

Wright performed a successful TVI near the 283 eastbound marker on I-40, spinning the vehicle to the right. The vehicle struck the guardrail and then struck the rear of Wright’s patrol vehicle, causing the patrol unit to skid across all three lanes of traffic. Wright reported that his vehicle struck the center concrete barrier backward at 103 mph and came to rest about a quarter-mile from the suspect vehicle.

When Evans arrived, the driver, identified as Timothy McKeown, was fleeing on foot southbound but obeyed verbal commands and returned to the pavement, where he was taken into custody. Evans and Trooper Billy Puckett took the passenger, identified as Jacorey Hampton, into custody.

Wright reported calling for an ambulance for himself and the two occupants of the fleeing vehicle. The driver and passenger refused medical treatment, but McKeown was taken to Crittenden Baptist for medical clearance before being booked into the Crittenden County Jail. Wright was transported by Pafford EMS to Crittenden Baptist, where he was treated and released.

During a search of the vehicle, officers located a half-empty half-pint bottle of Jack Daniel’s in the back seat under clothing, the report said.

A secondary crash also occurred at the end of the pursuit, though the report states neither Wright nor the fleeing vehicle struck those vehicles. According to the report, one vehicle slowed to avoid the scene and was rear-ended by another vehicle.

Damage to the ASP vehicle was estimated at about $40,000, with the report noting the frame was likely bent or twisted. Damage to the fleeing vehicle was estimated at about $23,000.

McKeown was charged with reckless driving involving physical injury, felony fleeing by vehicle creating substantial danger of death, fleeing on foot, first-degree criminal mischief involving damage of $25,000 or more, open container, purchase or possession of alcohol by a minor, expired tags, no liability insurance, driving on a suspended license and speeding more than 15 mph over the limit.

Hampton was charged with open container and purchase or possession of alcohol by a minor.

Both were transported to the Crittenden County Jail for processing.

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