FORREST CITY, Ark. — Three children were inside an SUV that an Arkansas State Police trooper struck twice during a Sept. 7 pursuit before the driver ran away, leaving the vehicle to roll into a parked vehicle, according to a newly obtained ASP report.
All three children were checked by EMSA and cleared, with no injuries reported, according to Trooper Blake Davis’ report.
In dashcam video, the children say they are scared as Davis reassures them after they leave the SUV.
“You’re not in any trouble, I promise,” Davis tells them.
One child identifies the driver as his mother. ASP obscured the children’s identities with black redaction boxes in the released footage.
Davis identified the driver as Khadjah Levontary Hamilton, of Forrest City. No arrest was made at the scene, and the report says an affidavit and warrants were pending approval from the St. Francis County prosecutor.
The pursuit began about 9:49 p.m. when Davis attempted to stop a brown Chevrolet Tahoe on Newcastle Road after seeing it cross the road’s edge line, according to the report.
After Davis activated his emergency lights, the Tahoe turned into a residential driveway, traveled through the yard and returned to Newcastle Road heading north, Davis wrote. It then turned east onto Indian Hills Road.
Davis reported activating his siren before the SUV accelerated, reaching about 58 mph in a posted 15 mph zone.
The trooper wrote that he knew Indian Hills Road was a dead end and that the apartment complex there was known for pedestrian traffic.
As the Tahoe turned into the complex, Davis used the front right bumper area of his patrol vehicle to strike the SUV’s rear-left portion in what he described as a tactical vehicle intervention.
The driver regained control and continued around the apartment complex, according to the report. Davis wrote that he struck the rear of the Tahoe again as it was coming to a stop, describing that second impact as not causing significant damage.
The SUV appeared not to have been placed in park, Davis wrote. The driver got out and fled on foot while it was rolling. The Tahoe continued forward and struck a parked vehicle, causing damage, according to the report.
Davis wrote that he then saw movement inside the SUV and ordered the occupants to get out. Three children exited. He said he identified Hamilton after speaking with the children and finding identification and a cellphone in the vehicle.
After the children were evaluated by EMSA, they were released to an adult. Davis also reported contacting the Arkansas State Police Child Abuse Hotline about the incident.
The report lists suspected offenses of fleeing by vehicle, three counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, criminal mischief, fleeing on foot, reckless driving and speeding more than 15 mph over the limit. The report does not establish that those charges were filed or that warrants were issued.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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