ST. FRANCIS COUNTY, Ark. — Dash camera video obtained by NEA Report shows a work truck slam into an Arkansas State Police cruiser during a roughly 31-mile pursuit on Interstate 40, spinning the patrol car and causing disabling damage.
Police said the driver later jumped from the still-moving truck and ran across the interstate before he was captured following an ineffective Taser deployment.
The pursuit began at about 11:42 p.m. Aug. 22 near mile marker 247 in St. Francis County, according to an ASP incident report.
Trooper Damion Potts reported seeing a white 2014 Ford F-350 swerving within its lane and crossing both the center white line and outside fog line. The truck was registered to Sabine Constructors LLC of Texas.
Potts activated his emergency lights, but the truck continued west without stopping. Police said the driver also ignored a siren and spotlight while traveling below the speed limit and swerving.
Near mile marker 241, Potts pulled alongside the truck in an attempt to get the driver’s attention. The driver did not acknowledge him and continued accelerating and decelerating erratically, according to the report.
Trooper Hunter Hill joined the pursuit near mile marker 233. Police said the truck drove onto the outside shoulder to pass a tractor-trailer.
Near mile marker 231, Hill moved his cruiser in front of the truck and attempted to reduce its speed. The truck allegedly took evasive action and struck the rear driver’s side of Hill’s patrol car.
Video shows the impact sending the cruiser into a counterclockwise rotation. The collision damaged the cruiser’s driver-side doors, left rear section and left rear tire, forcing Hill to withdraw from the pursuit.
ASP estimated the damage to Hill’s cruiser at $7,398.03.
Potts then attempted two tactical vehicle interventions, commonly called TVIs. Police said he made contact with both rear corners of the truck, but neither attempt stopped it.
The maneuvers caused an estimated $3,213.33 in damage to the front of Potts’ patrol car.
Trooper Dillion Cook positioned himself ahead of the pursuit and deployed stop sticks near mile marker 216. The devices struck the truck’s passenger-side tires, deflating them.
Police said the driver, later identified as Rickey D. Woods, 37, of Gladewater, Texas, opened his door while the truck was still moving and fled on foot. The truck came to a stop in the interstate median.
Potts chased Woods across I-40. Woods jumped a fence as Trooper Rafael Garcia deployed his Taser, but the deployment was ineffective, according to the report.
The pursuit continued toward a Citgo gas station. Police said Woods eventually stopped running before Cook and Trooper Dallas Taylor intercepted him and took him into custody without further incident.
Woods was taken to Forrest City Medical Center for an evaluation because of his behavior. Police said he initially refused to identify himself but later confirmed his identity after officers identified him through further investigation.
After being medically cleared, Woods was booked into the St. Francis County Detention Center at 6:29 a.m. Aug. 23.
The St. Francis County Sheriff’s Office booking page lists allegations of vehicle fleeing, aggravated assault, fleeing on foot, obstructing governmental operations, first-offense DWI involving drugs, first-offense reckless driving involving physical injury, improper lane change and first-degree criminal mischief.
The ASP report also lists a separate improper or unsafe lane-change allegation.
ASP estimated damage at $10,611.36 to its two patrol cars and $2,000 to the work truck. The agency said an insurance claim would be filed and restitution would be sought.
No bond amount was listed on Woods’ booking page.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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