FORREST CITY, Ark. — Video obtained by NEA Report shows an April 19 pursuit in Forrest City that topped 100 mph before the suspect crashed into a ditch and was taken into custody.
Evon Williams, 35, of Forrest City, was identified by authorities as the driver of a red Volvo involved in the chase, according to a narrative from Arkansas State Police and a probable cause affidavit filed by the Forrest City Police Department.
The affidavit says officers Alan Austin and Jerry Williams were dispatched to an apartment on Rice Street in reference to a criminal trespass involving tenants who had been evicted from the property. When officers arrived, an apartment supervisor pointed to a red Volvo SUV and said the vehicle was connected to the suspect who had been in the apartment.
Police said the vehicle initially stopped at Rice Street and Dawson but rapidly accelerated as officers approached. The affidavit says the driver turned eastbound on Oxford without using a turn signal, continued at a high rate of speed and then turned northbound on Forman as officers activated emergency lights and sirens.
Authorities said the pursuit continued through multiple streets in Forrest City. The affidavit says the vehicle traveled about 60 mph in a posted 25 mph zone and later about 55 mph in a 35 mph zone. Police said the vehicle swerved into an oncoming lane, nearly sideswiped another vehicle and failed to stop at multiple stop signs.
The ASP narrative says Williams also drove through fields and rural areas during the pursuit, reached speeds exceeding 100 mph on small, heavily traveled roadways, forced multiple vehicles off the road and at times drove into oncoming traffic.
At one point, a Forrest City officer said he moved his patrol vehicle to the side of the road in the Beech Grove area to allow vehicles to pass. The affidavit says the suspect vehicle then jerked in his direction and lined up with his patrol vehicle, causing the officer to move out of the way to avoid being rammed.
The pursuit ended near Mallory Avenue and Airport Road, where authorities said Williams lost control and crashed into a ditch.
After the crash, Williams was taken into custody and transported to Forrest City Medical Center for treatment before being taken to the St. Francis County Detention Center, according to the ASP narrative.
The probable cause paperwork lists residential burglary, a Class B felony, and felony fleeing by vehicle. The ASP narrative also lists drug paraphernalia, driving on a suspended license, reckless driving, defective or improper tail lamps and reflectors, failure to stop or yield and speeding more than 15 mph over the limit. Bail: $20,000 cash or surety.
According to the ASP narrative, a search of the vehicle located a pipe commonly used for drug ingestion. Authorities said the pipe field-tested positive for fentanyl and other controlled substances.
The affidavit says officers later returned to the apartment and spoke with the apartment supervisor, who said Williams had broken a door frame and cracked a window. The supervisor also said Williams was one of the people who had been legally evicted and removed from the property on April 17. Police said Williams did not have legal permission to be in the apartment on April 19.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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