VIDEO: I-40 Pursuit Tops 100 MPH Before TVI Crash

ST. FRANCIS COUNTY, Ark. — Video from Arkansas State Police shows an April 26 pursuit on Interstate 40 that topped 100 mph before a tactical vehicle intervention sent the suspect vehicle into a guardrail and roadside ditch.

Brendan Durr was arrested after the pursuit, according to a narrative from Arkansas State Police.

At about 5:41 p.m. April 26, Trooper Peoples was traveling eastbound on I-40 when he reported seeing a blue Nissan Sentra traveling 94 mph in a posted 75 mph zone. The trooper said the vehicle was detected on rear radar while traveling in the right lane.

As the vehicles approached the 247-mile marker, Peoples moved over to let the Nissan pass, then merged behind it and activated emergency equipment to conduct a traffic stop.

The driver told the trooper he did not have a driver’s license and wrote down the name Antun Hester, according to the report.

When the trooper returned to the vehicle and asked the driver to step out, police said the driver began looking around nervously before suddenly fleeing in the vehicle.

The pursuit continued on I-40, with the vehicle passing multiple vehicles on the left shoulder and reaching speeds over 100 mph, according to the report. After traffic cleared, the trooper said the driver continued operating the vehicle recklessly.

Peoples performed a tactical vehicle intervention near the 250-mile marker. Police said the Nissan struck the beginning of a guardrail, left the roadway and went into the south roadside ditch, where it became disabled.

The suspect then exited the vehicle and fled on foot, jumping a barbed-wire fence and running toward St. Francis County Road 426 before continuing into a field. The trooper reported unsuccessfully deploying a Taser before the suspect crossed a ditch and tried to hide near the interstate.

After the trooper crossed the ditch in pursuit, the suspect tried to return toward the field but could not find an opening in the fence, according to the report. Peoples gave commands for the suspect to get on the ground, and he complied.

The suspect was later positively identified as Durr. EMS responded and evaluated him at the scene, clearing him without further medical treatment.

During an inventory search of the vehicle, police said a bag of ammunition was found in the armrest. No firearm was found.

The report listed about $10,000 in damage to the suspect vehicle and about $10,000 in damage to an Arkansas Department of Transportation guardrail.

Durr was transported to the St. Francis County Detention Center. He was charged with fleeing in a vehicle or conveyance, no driver’s license or expired license, speeding more than 15 mph over the limit, first-offense reckless driving and obstructing governmental operations.

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

Wreck photos: