VIDEO: Mercedes Pursuit Ends in Head-On Crash With Semi on I-55

CRITTENDEN COUNTY, Ark. — New video obtained by NEA Report shows a high-speed pursuit that ended when a Mercedes-Benz drove the wrong way on Interstate 55 and struck a semi head-on, according to an Arkansas State Police incident report.

The pursuit began at about 7:45 a.m. June 17, when Trooper Collier Wright observed a black Mercedes-Benz C300 traveling eastbound on Interstate 40 near the 265-mile marker. Wright reported that the vehicle had a Mississippi license plate that did not return when checked.

The trooper initiated a traffic stop at the 272-mile marker. According to the report, the vehicle took an unusually long time to pull onto the shoulder. The driver kept his foot on the brake and left the vehicle in gear, leading the trooper to believe the driver might try to flee.

As Wright exited his patrol vehicle, he reported seeing something bounce onto the shoulder from the passenger-side window. When he approached the Mercedes, he saw the passenger window down, an open box of gas station chicken in the passenger seat, crumbs around the driver’s mouth and the driver wiping his hands with a napkin.

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The driver, later identified as Ronnie Hudson, denied throwing anything out, according to the report. He provided a driver’s license but could not provide registration or proof of insurance. A woman on speakerphone told him the registration was not in the vehicle, the report said.

Wright returned to his patrol vehicle to get his phone to photograph the vehicle identification number. As he approached again, he checked the shoulder and found a Ruger LC9s pistol with a black slide and teal grip in the grass, according to the report.

The trooper placed the firearm on the trunk of the Mercedes and began a felony traffic stop. As Wright reached the driver’s rear taillight, the Mercedes fled, the report said.

The pursuit reached speeds over 130 mph, with the Mercedes weaving through traffic and passing on both shoulders, according to ASP. The vehicle took Exit 277 and merged onto I-55 northbound at the 7-mile marker.

The report said the trooper was close enough to attempt a tactical vehicle intervention, but a pedestrian was walking on the right shoulder near disabled vehicles. The Mercedes passed the pedestrian about 13 feet away while traveling over 100 mph, according to the report.

The vehicle continued northbound before exiting at Exit 10 at about 110 mph onto the service road. The report said Hudson nearly struck an SUV, swerved to avoid it, lost control and ended up back on the interstate facing the wrong way.

The Mercedes then accelerated the wrong way on I-55, burning its tires, before traveling about 15 yards and striking a semi head-on, according to ASP. The impact knocked the Mercedes backward into the rear of Sgt. Steve Roberts’ patrol vehicle. All three vehicles were disabled.

Hudson was taken into custody without further incident. He complained of chest pain after the crash and was transported by Pafford EMS to Crittenden Baptist Hospital. He was medically cleared and then taken to the Crittenden County Jail.

Troopers later returned to the original stop location and recovered the firearm from the shoulder of I-40 at the 272-mile marker, according to the report.

Damage from the crash was estimated at $20,000.

The report lists allegations including reckless driving involving physical injury, first-degree criminal mischief, littering on a highway, aggravated assault, fictitious tags, no liability insurance, felony fleeing by vehicle creating a substantial danger of death, possession of firearms by certain persons, inadequate insurance during an accident, unauthorized use of property and tampering with physical evidence.

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