LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas State Police dash camera video shows a pursuit exceeding 100 mph through Little Rock before a trooper used a tactical maneuver that caused the fleeing vehicle to overturn and eject its driver.
The pursuit began at about 9:11 p.m. July 31 after Trooper James Booth reported seeing a white Kia Optima driving left of center and failing to maintain control near the Interstate 40 and Interstate 30 interchange.
Booth initiated a traffic stop, and the driver pulled onto the shoulder near Exit 139, according to an ASP incident report. The trooper approached the passenger side and asked why the driver had taken so long to stop.
The driver, identified as 27-year-old Patrick Johns of Jacksonville, reportedly said he was looking for a place to pull over. Booth instructed Johns to turn off the car, but Johns allegedly put the vehicle in gear and fled.
The pursuit continued onto westbound Interstate 630, where Johns allegedly weaved through traffic and reached speeds exceeding 100 mph. Booth reported that Johns nearly struck several other motorists during the pursuit.
Johns exited onto University Avenue and continued north at speeds exceeding 90 mph, according to the report. ASP alleged he ran a red light at Cantrell Road, turned east and began driving in the opposing lane.
As the pursuit approached a populated area on a Friday night, Booth requested authorization to conduct a tactical vehicle intervention, commonly called a TVI.
Booth made contact with the driver’s side rear of the Kia near Club 1836 on Cantrell Road. The vehicle left the roadway, overturned and struck a power pole ground cable, brick terraces and the club’s sign.
Johns was ejected from the vehicle and found lying on his chest, according to ASP. Little Rock police officers and additional state troopers helped secure the scene until emergency medical personnel arrived.
Johns was taken to UAMS Medical Center with injuries described as not life-threatening.
During a search of the vehicle and crash scene, investigators reported finding a brightly colored package containing suspected marijuana, a rolled blunt and an open bottle of tequila.
The ASP report lists charges of fleeing in a vehicle while exceeding the speed limit, unauthorized use of a vehicle, second-degree criminal mischief involving at least $5,000 in damage, possession of less than 4 ounces of a Schedule VI controlled substance, driving left of center, failure to wear a seat belt and having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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