VIDEO: High-Speed Crittenden County Pursuit Ends in Field Crash, Airlifted Driver

CRITTENDEN COUNTY, Ark. — Video obtained by NEA Report shows a high-speed Arkansas State Police pursuit that ended after a pickup truck left the roadway and crashed in a field.

Editor’s note: The video contains graphic audio of a person screaming in pain.

The pursuit happened at about 12:04 a.m. April 18 near Highway 79 and Highway 70 in Crittenden County, according to an Arkansas State Police report.

Trooper Michael Steele reported he was traveling southbound on Highway 79, just south of its intersection with Highway 70, when he turned on his radar and clocked a northbound vehicle traveling 84 mph in a posted 55 mph zone.

The vehicle, described as a two-door pickup truck, did not slow down and continued north on Highway 79 at a high rate of speed, according to the report.

Steele turned around and attempted to stop the vehicle. The report says the truck swerved over the center line, ran the stop sign at Highway 79 and Highway 70, continued northbound over the overpass and then traveled onto Bing Store Road.

The trooper reported driving about 107 mph while trying to catch up to the truck.

After closing the distance, Steele reported seeing the truck swerving from one side of the road to the other and nearly losing control. The truck almost went into a ditch on the east side of the road, according to the report.

The road then went from pavement to gravel. The truck began kicking up large amounts of dust and gravel, limiting the trooper’s visibility.

Steele reported seeing the vehicle leave the west side of the road and enter a field. He then drove into the field looking for the truck and found the vehicle after it had crashed and sustained substantial damage.

The driver was later identified as Dylan B. Brannon, 21, of Crawfordsville.

According to the report, Brannon was found lying about 30 feet north of the truck and appeared to have been ejected because he was not wearing a seat belt. The report says Brannon was bleeding from the mouth but attempting to breathe.

Steele checked the truck and did not find anyone else inside, according to the report.

The trooper then requested an ambulance and moved Brannon onto his side into the recovery position because of the bleeding. The report says Brannon tried to move around and get up, and Steele handcuffed him to prevent him from moving too much.

While trying to control Brannon, Steele reported smelling the odor of intoxicants.

Pafford EMS arrived and transported Brannon to the area of Highway 70 and Highway 79, where he was airlifted to Regional One.

The report does not state Brannon’s condition after he was airlifted. Court records reviewed by NEA Report did not show a filing connected to the April 18 pursuit as of publication.

On April 23, Steele went to 201 Poplar Avenue in Memphis and contacted a deputy with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. The report says warrants were obtained in Arkansas and Shelby County before blood was drawn from Brannon at Regional One Hospital, and the evidence was seized from the hospital’s core lab.

The blood was placed into evidence for submission to the crime lab, according to the report.

The ASP report says a warrant was expected on charges of felony fleeing in a vehicle, reckless driving, driving while intoxicated, speeding, driving on a suspended license, failure to stop at a stop sign and no seat belt.

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