VIDEO: Trooper Chases Vehicle in Lawrence County Before Crash, Foot Chase

LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ark. — Police video released last month shows an April 18 pursuit in Lawrence County that began with an attempted traffic stop on U.S. 67 and ended with a crash, a foot chase and the arrest of Christopher Justin Sorg.

According to a probable cause affidavit from Arkansas State Police, Trooper First Class Issac Lawson was patrolling northbound on U.S. 67 at about 8:02 p.m. when he saw a white SUV traveling northbound behind him. Lawson reported the vehicle was traveling 78 mph in a 60 mph zone.

The affidavit says the driver slowed down after seeing the trooper and appeared hesitant to pass him. Lawson reported reducing his speed to allow the vehicle to pass. Once it did, Lawson activated his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop.

Instead of stopping, the driver pulled to the shoulder and continued traveling at a slow speed, according to the affidavit. Lawson said he activated his siren several times in an effort to get the vehicle to stop.

The vehicle then turned onto County Road 416 and accelerated, beginning what Lawson described as reckless driving. The affidavit says Lawson advised dispatch he was in pursuit as the vehicle continued eastbound on County Road 416 at speeds greater than 80 mph.

The vehicle later turned onto a field road and traveled on multiple field roads at high speeds, according to the affidavit. Lawson reported that after the vehicle made a sharp right turn, he was unable to make the turn and slid into the edge of a field, where his vehicle became stuck in mud.

A Lawrence County deputy continued the pursuit until the vehicle crashed at the intersection of Lemon Road and Long Road, the affidavit says.

After the crash, the driver, identified in the affidavit as Sorg, fled on foot from deputies through a field. Authorities said Sorg broke his ankle while fleeing on uneven terrain before he was taken into custody. An ambulance was called to treat his injuries.

The affidavit says Sorg admitted to deputies that he had consumed four or five beers. Lawson reported that when he arrived, Sorg had a strong odor of intoxicants coming from his breath, and his eyes were bloodshot and watery.

Lawson said he administered a horizontal gaze nystagmus test and reported that Sorg showed clues of impairment. The affidavit says Lawson attempted to read the Arkansas Statement of Rights regarding chemical tests to Sorg, but Sorg refused to submit to any chemical test.

Alcohol was found in the front seat of the vehicle, including one open bottle, according to the affidavit.

During the incident, Sorg was cursing, emotional and crying, according to the affidavit. Lawson wrote that Sorg said he was having a bad day and just wanted to be alone.

Due to the extent of his injuries, Sorg was taken to St. Bernards Hospital.

Online court records list Sorg as facing charges of felony fleeing by vehicle or conveyance creating substantial danger of death, refusal to submit to arrest, second-offense driving while intoxicated, driving on a suspended license, refusal to submit to a chemical test, reckless driving involving physical injury, no seat belt, driving a vehicle or trailer with no registration or expired tags, and having an open container containing alcohol in a motor vehicle.

Bond was set at $25,000 cash or surety. The judge noted Sorg was already out on bond and had failures to appear in his record.

On May 7, a conditional pretrial release was granted, allowing Sorg to go to Prodigal Ministries. The case was still open as of May 19.

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