Mississippi County, Arkansas – On August 27, a routine traffic enforcement stop by Arkansas State Police trooper Daniel Young on Interstate 55 turned into a violent encounter that lasted several hours. The incident began when Young flagged a light‑blue 2014 Chevrolet Equinox traveling northbound and ran the Tennessee plate through the state database.
After the check, the driver, identified as Pedro Gonzalez, presented a Mexican passport and an insurance card that had expired in March. Because the trooper said Gonzalez lacked proper identification, Young asked him to exit the vehicle. During the conversation, Gonzalez disclosed his immigration status, prompting Young to contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. An ICE detainer indicated Gonzalez had overstayed his visa, and the agency instructed that he be taken into custody.
Physical confrontation
According to Young’s incident report, Gonzalez became rigid and tried to pull away when the trooper placed his hands on him. A struggle ensued, during which Gonzalez fell to the ground and repeatedly attempted to grab the trooper’s firearm from its holster. Young struck Gonzalez twice in the head with a closed fist and later delivered additional strikes to his body while trying to control his hands.
The trooper deployed his Taser multiple times, firing eight cartridges during one portion of the fight. Gonzalez broke the Taser wires, ending the effect, and later appeared to lure the trooper into another ground fight. Young believed Gonzalez may have had jiu‑jitsu training.
Both passengers, identified as Bersaino Gonzalez Gonzalez and Hermelinda Perez Hernandez, exited the vehicle and fled north along the wood line. Young continued the pursuit, using additional Taser probes and a knee strike to Gonzalez’s face. At one point, Gonzalez removed his belt and swung it at the trooper three times.
Search and apprehension
Concern grew when one male passenger disappeared into thick brush, leaving the trooper uncertain of a possible ambush. After a five‑hour coordinated search involving several agencies, all three suspects were located and taken into custody. Gonzalez was initially treated at a hospital in Osceola before being transferred to UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock. Photographs in the ASP report show injuries to both the trooper and Gonzalez.
Young filed an affidavit seeking charges of aggravated assault on a law‑enforcement officer, resisting arrest, fleeing on foot, driving without a license or with an expired license, and lack of liability insurance. The report does not list charges against the two passengers.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Original reporting: NEA Report (Jonesboro) — read the source article.
