NEWARK, Ark. — A Ford Mustang reached approximately 136 mph, ran several stop signs and crashed into the water near the White River Bridge during an Arkansas State Police pursuit, according to a police report and newly released video.
The pursuit began July 9 after a trooper spotted the black Mustang at the intersection of Parakeet Road and Arkansas Highway 122 in Newark.
The trooper reported that the Mustang appeared to hesitate after its occupants noticed the patrol vehicle. After the trooper repositioned nearby, the Mustang allegedly accelerated onto Highway 122 and turned west onto Third Street, where it immediately ran a stop sign.
Police identified the driver as Michael Rutledge. His passengers were identified as Mykentzie Evers and Hunter Galloway.
Police said Rutledge refused to stop after the trooper activated his emergency lights. The Mustang continued through Newark, allegedly running multiple stop signs before heading south on Highway 122.
A tactical vehicle intervention, or TVI, attempted on Sixth Street was unsuccessful. The Mustang then reached approximately 136 mph and crossed the intersection of highways 122 and 69 at about 120 mph, according to the report.
The trooper reported that the Mustang lost several body parts during the pursuit as it struck changes in the roadway and surrounding terrain. A second TVI attempt was unsuccessful because of the angle between the vehicles.
Near the White River Bridge, police said Rutledge attempted to pass traffic on the right shoulder because vehicles were traveling in both directions. The Mustang then went down an embankment, struck large rocks and entered the water, video released by ASP shows.
Rutledge, Evers and Galloway allegedly ran into a wooded area along the river. State police and Independence County sheriff’s deputies established a perimeter and searched the area.
All three were captured without further incident following a search that covered approximately a mile, police said.
After their arrests, two of the suspects allegedly told officers that two additional armed people remained in the area. Police later determined that claim was fabricated to mislead officers and prolong the search, according to the report.
Rutledge faces allegations of fleeing by vehicle, fleeing on foot, aggravated assault, failure to stop or yield, driving without a valid license, obstructing governmental operations, hindering apprehension or prosecution, careless driving, improper passing, failure to wear a seat belt and littering.
Evers faces allegations of fleeing on foot, obstructing governmental operations, hindering apprehension or prosecution and failure to wear a seat belt.
Galloway faces an allegation of fleeing on foot.
All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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