WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — An Arkansas State Police pursuit reached speeds near 120 mph before a trooper used a tactical maneuver to force the fleeing vehicle off Interstate 55 near Marion, according to an incident report.
The pursuit began around 6:43 p.m. July 22 after Trooper Eli Thomas observed a white Toyota Camry traveling west on Interstate 40 near the 284-mile marker.
Thomas reported that the Camry moved into the left lane at a slow speed, forcing motorists traveling at interstate speeds to change lanes to pass it. After the vehicle remained in the left lane and its license plate did not return through a database check, Thomas attempted a traffic stop.
The Camry initially signaled toward the shoulder but accelerated from about 65 mph to more than 100 mph, eventually reaching speeds near 120 mph in a 65 mph zone, according to the report.
As the pursuit began, Thomas said a black Audi attempted to merge directly in front of his patrol vehicle, forcing him to swerve to avoid a collision.
The Camry continued weaving through traffic, which Thomas described as an apparent attempt to prevent him from getting close enough to perform a tactical vehicle intervention, or TVI.
Thomas reported seeing the driver smiling, laughing and waving at him through the driver’s side mirror. The driver also allegedly made an obscene hand gesture toward the trooper.
During the pursuit, the Camry crossed from the right lane to the left lane and nearly struck a tractor-trailer, according to the report. The vehicle later straddled the divider between the left and center lanes and nearly collided with a pickup truck.
The pursuit continued onto northbound Interstate 55. Thomas attempted a TVI near the 9-mile marker, but the maneuver was unsuccessful.
As the pursuit approached Exit 10 near Marion, Thomas reported seeing heavy traffic and numerous people at a nearby gas station. He performed a second TVI, causing the Camry to leave the roadway and stop in a ditch.
Police said the driver exited the vehicle and ran toward a residential area. Thomas pursued him on foot, and West Memphis police assisted in taking him into custody without further incident.
The driver was identified as Phillip Johnson, 25, of St. Louis. His driver’s license was suspended, according to the report.
Johnson faces allegations of impeding traffic, fictitious tags, no liability insurance, felony fleeing by vehicle, reckless driving, fleeing on foot, driving on a suspended license, two counts of possession of controlled substances, two counts of possession with purpose to deliver controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The 2026 Toyota Camry was owned by Enterprise Rental. The report estimated damage to the vehicle at $25,000.
All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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