A traffic stop near Interstate 57 in Jackson County, Arkansas, turned into a 10-minute pursuit that exceeded 90 mph before a pickup hit a culvert, went airborne, and crashed into a parked tractor-trailer, according to police and court records.
Pursuit Details
Trooper Grayson Russell reported he was conducting traffic enforcement on I-57 near the 95-mile marker about 10:42 a.m. June 1 when he noticed a black 2006 GMC Sierra behind his cruiser failing to maintain its lane. Russell also reported the driver was not wearing a seat belt as the pickup passed him.
Russell stopped the pickup on a field road just off State Highway 37, west of the interstate, and identified the driver as Troy Garrett Alexander, 42, of Cash. A probable-cause affidavit filed in July states a check through the Arkansas Crime Information Center showed Alexander was on active probation supervision, had a search waiver on file, and had a suspended driver’s license.
As Russell got out of his patrol vehicle to approach the pickup again, Alexander allegedly drove away. The affidavit states the pursuit continued for approximately 10 minutes across field roads, gravel surfaces, and paved highways. Alexander allegedly reached speeds exceeding 90 mph during the pursuit.
The pickup left the roadway, struck a driveway culvert, and became airborne. It traveled several hundred feet before colliding with a parked tractor-trailer on private property. The affidavit states the crash occurred approximately 105 yards from an occupied residence.
Aftermath
Debris from the crash was scattered across the roadway. Russell said his cruiser struck a large piece of debris, damaging its undercarriage. He also reported the cruiser’s windshield was broken by rocks coming from the pickup during the pursuit.
Alexander got out of the wrecked pickup and began walking toward Russell. The trooper said Alexander got on the ground but repeatedly turned toward him and tried to roll over while disobeying commands to face away. Russell reported placing a knee in the center of Alexander’s back and using a Taser in drive-stun mode against the right side of his back.
Newport Fire Department EMS transported Alexander to St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. The incident report states an emergency room doctor released him with a broken nose attributed to the crash. An examination of his back found no injuries or marks from the Taser deployment, according to the report.
After his release, Alexander was taken to the Jackson County Detention Center. The probable-cause affidavit alleges fleeing, resisting arrest, reckless driving, speeding more than 15 mph above the limit, driving on a suspended license, fictitious tags or improper use of registration, failure to maintain control, a registration certificate violation, no seat belt, no liability insurance, and failure to register a vehicle with expired tags.
Original reporting: NEA Report (Jonesboro) — read the source article.
