SOUTHSIDE, Ark. — A U-Haul carrying a woman and two dogs rolled onto its side after a state trooper’s second vehicle intervention during an Oct. 2 pursuit on Batesville Boulevard, according to an Arkansas State Police report. The encounter began about 8:21 p.m., when the trooper reported seeing the truck speeding.
The driver, Casey N. Whalen, 41, of DeWitt, was arrested. Cpl. Jeff Richardson’s report lists anticipated charges including felony fleeing and first-offense driving while intoxicated.
Two Vehicle Interventions
Richardson wrote that he saw the southbound U-Haul traveling 61 mph in a 45 mph zone and made a U-turn at Community Drive to catch up. Whalen applied her brakes and slowed as he turned around, according to the report.
After passing Sonic, the truck began swerving within and outside its travel lanes, Richardson wrote. It continued south past Harps, where the trooper noted there was a large parking lot.
About 8:22 p.m., Richardson activated his siren and used his spotlight to illuminate the driver’s side mirror, according to the report. He wrote that Whalen continued south and accelerated to about 55 mph near Scott Drive, prompting him to notify dispatch that he was in pursuit.
Richardson reported attempting a tactical vehicle intervention when the U-Haul reached about 59 mph. That attempt was unsuccessful.
When the truck accelerated to about 64 mph, Richardson conducted a second intervention. The vehicles’ bumpers became interlocked, and the U-Haul struck a mailbox and then a curb, separating the bumpers, according to his account.
The U-Haul rolled onto its driver’s side and stopped off the road. Richardson’s patrol car also left the roadway and spun before stopping.
Richardson wrote that he exited with his weapon drawn and saw Whalen sitting on the driver’s side door with two dogs. An Independence County deputy provided cover while Richardson climbed to the passenger’s side door, opened it and helped her out.
DWI Allegations and Testing
While helping Whalen from the truck, Richardson reported smelling intoxicants on her and observing watery eyes. He also reported seeing four beer cans inside the U-Haul.
Whalen refused a preliminary breath test at the scene, according to the report. Richardson transported her to the county jail, where he administered field sobriety tests.
The trooper reported observing six clues during an eye-movement test. He also wrote that Whalen repeatedly lost her balance during instructions for the walk-and-turn test, did not walk heel to toe or count aloud, and stopped during the test to ask what to do next.
During the one-leg stand test, Whalen put her foot down three times, switched which foot she raised and did not count aloud, according to Richardson.
After being advised of her Miranda rights, Whalen declined to speak with him, the report states. Richardson wrote that she later signed a form acknowledging her DWI testing rights and refused a chemical test. While in the jail’s breath-testing room, she said she was returning home from Missouri, according to the report.
Anticipated Charges and Damage
Richardson’s report lists the following anticipated charges:
- Felony fleeing by vehicle while exceeding the speed limit.
- Driving while intoxicated, first offense.
- Refusal to submit to a chemical test.
- Careless and prohibited driving.
- Speeding more than 15 mph over the limit.
- Having an open container containing alcohol in a motor vehicle.
The report states Whalen was placed on hold for the 16th Judicial Drug Task Force, which would assist with filing felony charges. It does not establish whether formal charges were subsequently filed or provide a bond amount or court date.
Richardson estimated damage to his patrol car at $2,882 and damage to the U-Haul at $600. The damaged mailbox and post would cost $250 to replace, according to the report.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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