West Memphis, Ark. – On the night of August 24, a routine traffic stop on Interstate 40 near the 283‑mile marker in Crittenden County turned into a dangerous pursuit that crossed state lines. Trooper First Class Gunner Fultz observed a blue sedan traveling east at 81 mph in a 65‑mph zone and activated his emergency lights and siren.
When the driver failed to stop, he pulled onto the shoulder near the 284‑mile marker. Although the vehicle’s brake lights remained illuminated, the driver leaned out the window and claimed he could not hear the trooper’s commands. After a second instruction to park, the driver accelerated, reaching speeds “well over 100 mph,” according to the official report.
Lights Off and the Chase Continues
As the pursuit progressed, the driver reportedly turned off all exterior lights, making the sedan a dark, moving target. He weaved through traffic, forcing Trooper Fultz to abandon the chase at the Mississippi River state line after the vehicle entered Tennessee.
Fultz later reported seeing the same dark blue 2020 Toyota Camry on Front Street in Memphis, this time involved in a crash. The driver fled the scene, leaving the vehicle abandoned.
Evidence Found at the Crash Site
Memphis police recovered a Glock pistol and approximately five grams of marijuana from the Camry. A bill of sale containing a name and date of birth was also found. Trooper Fultz ran the name “Juan Vertiz” and identified him as the driver from the earlier pursuit. Vertiz, a Fort Smith resident, now faces multiple warrants, including charges for fleeing, driving without a license, reckless driving, improper lane change, and operating a vehicle without headlamps.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Public‑Safety Implications
This incident underscores the challenges law‑enforcement officers face when dealing with high‑speed pursuits that cross jurisdictional boundaries. The Arkansas State Police and Memphis police departments coordinated quickly, demonstrating inter‑agency cooperation to protect the public.
While high‑speed chases can end tragically, the swift response and evidence collection in this case may help bring the responsible party to justice and deter similar reckless behavior on our highways.
Residents are reminded to obey traffic laws, keep vehicle lights functional, and cooperate with law‑enforcement officers to keep our roads safe for families and communities.
Original reporting: NEA Report (Jonesboro) — read the source article.
