Arkansas State Police troopers used a Tactical Vehicle Intervention to stop a vehicle after its driver, 75-year-old Regina Blaker-Hall of Durant, Oklahoma, appeared slumped over and unresponsive while traveling along Interstate 40 in St. Francis County, Arkansas.
The incident began on June 4 when a trooper was dispatched to a report of a reckless driver traveling east near the 209-mile marker. The trooper positioned his patrol vehicle near the 221-mile marker and waited for the vehicle to pass. When he located it, the vehicle was traveling approximately 60 to 70 mph.
The trooper activated his emergency lights and siren in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop. As he followed the vehicle, he noticed the driver appeared to be slumped over in her seat and was not responding to surrounding traffic conditions.
Attempt to Stop the Vehicle
Because the driver’s medical condition was unknown, the trooper continued following the vehicle for miles while trying to get her attention. The report says he repeatedly pulled alongside the vehicle and changed his siren patterns, but the driver did not respond.
Near the 233-mile marker, the trooper met with Lt. McMillion to coordinate a plan to stop the vehicle safely. McMillion drove alongside the vehicle and attempted to alert the driver, but she continued traveling.
Capt. Williams then attempted to deploy spike strips, but the effort was unsuccessful. Troopers next attempted a rolling box maneuver, positioning patrol vehicles around the moving vehicle to gradually slow it. The maneuver initially worked, bringing the vehicle to a complete stop.
However, the driver suddenly accelerated and continued forward, striking the left side of Williams’ patrol vehicle and the right side of McMillion’s patrol vehicle, according to the report.
After the vehicle cleared the patrol units, McMillion performed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention, striking the vehicle’s left rear with the front right of his patrol vehicle. The maneuver caused the vehicle to spin counterclockwise and roll onto its right side.
Troopers immediately approached the overturned vehicle, removed the driver, and requested emergency medical assistance. Blaker-Hall received treatment at the scene before being transported by Air Evac to Regional One Health for further evaluation and treatment.
Blaker-Hall was cited on misdemeanor criminal charges before being transported. The report did not specify the charges. The vehicle was towed.
Original reporting: NEA Report (Jonesboro) — read the source article.
