Little Rock, Arkansas – A PIT maneuver by a trooper resulted in the death of the suspect in an Arkansas State Police pursuit.
A trooper stopped a suspect who was running near the Stanton Road bridge of Interstate 30 East by using a Tactical Vehicle Intervention maneuver, according to a news release issued by ASP on Monday.
“Fleeing from law enforcement is reckless and has serious consequences,” said ASP Colonel Mike Hagar. “Although we regret any loss of life, ASP Troopers put the lives of innocent motorists first.”
According to police, the suspect did not stop for the trooper while traveling at high speeds west on I-30. After driving through two red lights and getting off the interstate at Geyer Springs Road, the vehicle returned to the eastbound lanes of I-30. It shot forward, reaching speeds of almost 120 mph, and almost got into a collision with another car.
Police report that a FN Five-seven semi-automatic handgun was discovered in the car, but they have not yet identified the suspect.
According to the announcement, the event is being looked into by the Criminal Investigation Division of ASP.
An ASP trooper retired two weeks prior to this incident after performing a PIT maneuver on the incorrect vehicle. The 18-year-old was charged and PIT maneuvered during the summer after attempting to get her mother to Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock.