VIDEO: 80 MPH West Memphis Pursuit Ends With TVI, Foot Chase and K-9 Capture

WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — Video obtained by NEA Report shows a late-night Arkansas State Police pursuit through West Memphis that reached speeds above 80 mph before a trooper used a tactical vehicle intervention to stop the fleeing car. The driver then allegedly ran from the wrecked vehicle before a second trooper deployed his K-9.

The pursuit happened shortly before 2 a.m. Aug. 29.

Trooper Eli Thomas reported that he was stationary on Interstate 40 near the 282-mile marker, conducting traffic enforcement while providing emergency lighting for another trooper who was stopped along the highway. Thomas said he saw a black passenger car traveling west at about 68 mph in a 65-mph zone.

According to Thomas, his rear emergency lights and the other trooper’s emergency lights were activated when the car passed them. Thomas began attempting to stop the vehicle for passing an authorized vehicle stopped on the highway. He identified the car as a black Nissan Versa and said he then saw it swerving across lane markings.

The Nissan exited I-40 at Exit 280 and turned onto Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Thomas said that after he activated his emergency lights, the driver initially slowed but went around a stopped tractor-trailer, with approximately half of the Nissan entering a ditch, before continuing south toward Love’s Travel Stop.

Thomas reported that the Nissan then accelerated to approximately 65 mph in a 45-mph zone. The vehicle allegedly passed other traffic while partially using the center turn lane and continued swerving between lanes.

The pursuit continued west onto Broadway, where Thomas reported speeds exceeding 80 mph in areas with speed limits of 30 and 35 mph.

At Broadway and Walker, the Nissan allegedly went through a red light at approximately 60 mph. Thomas also reported that the driver began brake-checking his patrol car as the pursuit continued past the middle school.

Thomas began attempting a tactical vehicle intervention, or TVI, as the pursuit approached South 20th Street.

According to his report, the driver repeatedly braked hard and swerved as Thomas tried to get into position. Thomas said the Nissan was traveling toward an area containing multiple late-night establishments and numerous pedestrians.

Thomas successfully made contact with the Nissan during a TVI at Broadway and 14th Street, but the maneuver did not end the pursuit.

Near Eighth Street, Thomas tried again.

This time, the TVI stopped the Nissan in a parking area along Broadway.

Police said the driver immediately got out and ran.

TFC Gunner Fultz reported that he heard Thomas announce the pursuit over the radio and drove toward Broadway. Fultz said he watched Thomas perform the final TVI and then saw the driver run west down the sidewalk through a business area with significant weekend-night foot traffic.

Fultz said he did not know whether the fleeing driver was armed and warned him to stop or he would be bitten. When the man continued running, Fultz deployed his police K-9.

Fultz said the K-9 caught the man under his left arm and on his back and held him until troopers placed him in handcuffs. The dog was removed after the arrest, and an ambulance was requested.

The driver was identified as James V. Gregory, 40, of West Memphis.

Thomas reported smelling a strong odor of intoxicants coming from Gregory after his arrest. He also described Gregory’s eyes as bloodshot and watery and said his speech was slurred. Gregory refused treatment when EMS arrived, according to the report.

Thomas said Gregory was placed in the back of his patrol vehicle, where Gregory began striking his head against the glass, causing his forehead to bleed. Because of that injury and the K-9 apprehension, Thomas transported him to Crittenden Baptist Hospital.

At the hospital, Thomas attempted to obtain a urine sample. According to the report, Gregory told Thomas, “You don’t need a test. I can tell you how drunk and how high I am.”

Thomas reported that Gregory then described himself as being extremely drunk and high before refusing to continue listening as the trooper attempted to read him the Arkansas Statement of Rights. Thomas also alleged Gregory threatened him while handcuffed.

Gregory underwent an MRI and was medically cleared for release, according to the report. Police said he also refused antibiotics that hospital staff attempted to provide following the K-9 bite and forehead injury.

Gregory was then booked into the Crittenden County Jail.

The allegations listed in the State Police report include felony fleeing by vehicle, fleeing on foot, DWI, refusal to submit to a chemical test, reckless driving, speeding more than 15 mph over the limit, careless and prohibited driving, criminal mischief, failure to obey a stop sign, failure to obey a traffic control device and passing an authorized vehicle stopped on the highway.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.