LEACHVILLE, Ark. — A Texas tractor-trailer driver faces several charges after Arkansas State Police said he fled a traffic stop, accelerated to about 80 mph and drove into oncoming traffic, forcing a pickup truck onto the shoulder.
Michael P. Sherman, 46, of Clint, Texas, was arrested following the Aug. 4 pursuit on State Highway 18 near Leachville, according to an ASP incident report.
Trooper Chris Dunham was notified at about 7:44 p.m. of a hazardous driver traveling near Monette. About 10 minutes later, Dunham located a gray 2025 Kenworth tractor-trailer near the Craighead-Mississippi county line.
Dunham reported seeing the truck struggle to remain within its lane. He activated his emergency lights about one-quarter mile west of State Highway 119, but the driver continued and increased his speed from about 50 mph to 62 mph.
About 50 seconds later, the truck veered into the oncoming lanes and accelerated to about 80 mph, according to the report.
Dunham said the truck drove directly toward approaching traffic, forcing the driver of a pickup truck onto the shoulder to avoid a collision. The truck then entered the center turn lane before returning to the proper lanes.
Sherman continued for about one-half mile before pulling onto the shoulder and stopping.
Dunham said he issued about 17 commands over his patrol vehicle’s public-address system before Sherman exited the truck. Sherman was ordered to the rear of the patrol vehicle and taken into custody without further incident. No other occupants were found.
The trooper reported smelling intoxicants while speaking with Sherman and said his speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet. A preliminary breath test produced a reading of 0.12, according to the report.
Sherman was transported to the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office, where Dunham attempted to advise him of his rights before additional testing. Police said Sherman refused to cooperate with the test, stating he did not understand his rights and mentioning shoulder pain when asked what he did not understand.
Sherman was booked on charges listed in the report as felony fleeing, reckless driving, obstructing governmental operations, first-offense DWI, refusal to submit to a chemical test involving a commercial driver’s license, using a commercial vehicle in the commission of a felony, speeding and improper lane use.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
SHARE THIS STORY WITH OTHERS:
Discover more from NEA Report
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Be the first to comment