VIDEO: Wrong-Way Pursuit on I-55 Ends With Crash Into West Memphis Building

WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — Video obtained from Arkansas State Police shows a May 29 pursuit in West Memphis that ended when a vehicle traveled the wrong way on Interstate 55 and crashed into an industrial building, according to an ASP report attached to the video.

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Trooper Gunner Fultz wrote in the report that he was patrolling the area of Broadway and Walker when he saw a vehicle following extremely closely behind his patrol unit. Fultz also reported seeing the vehicle make a lane change without using a turn signal.

Fultz said he pulled behind the vehicle and activated his emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop. The driver failed to stop and began accelerating, according to the report.

As the vehicle approached the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Broadway, it traveled through a red light at about 100 mph, Fultz wrote.

The report says Fultz was positioning his patrol unit to perform a tactical vehicle intervention when the driver made a sudden left turn and began traveling the wrong way on I-55.

The vehicle then struck two road signs before leaving the roadway and colliding with an industrial building, according to ASP.

After the crash, Fultz said he gave multiple verbal commands to the driver, who eventually exited through the driver’s side door and stumbled out of the vehicle.

Fultz identified the driver as Shermon Harper. The report says Harper could barely stand, had slurred speech and was later found to have a strong odor of intoxicants coming from him.

EMS personnel assessed Harper at the scene before he was transported by ambulance to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Crittenden. Fultz said he later made contact with Harper at the hospital and offered him a chemical test, which Harper refused.

Because of Harper’s apparent level of intoxication and the injuries he sustained in the crash, Fultz said he issued citations and gave Harper a court date instead of transporting him to jail.

Harper faces allegations including felony fleeing, felony criminal mischief, open container, driving on a revoked license, DWI, refusal to submit to chemical testing, no seat belt, reckless driving and improper lane change.

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