Arkansas State Troopers assigned to the department’s Highway Patrol Division and Criminal Investigation Division are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash sixteen miles west of Forrest City (St. Francis County). The 44 year-old man killed in the crash was a suspect who had earlier fled from state troopers during a Lonoke County traffic stop.
At 10:37 AM today (June 22, 2018) a state trooper stopped a late model Chrysler sedan and during the course of the traffic stop the driver fled eastbound along Interstate 40 at the 183 mile marker.
A pursuit of the suspect by state police continued until the trooper lost visual contact with the vehicle.
Nearly an hour later the suspect vehicle was observed traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of Interstate 40 and moments later at 11:31 AM state troopers responded to the report of a head-on crash involving four vehicles at the 257 mile marker. The suspect wanted from the traffic stop was pronounced dead at the scene. Four vehicles were involved in the crash and at least four individuals not related to the suspect vehicle were injured, one believed to be in serious condition, but stable when he was airlifted from the crash scene.
Additional information will be released once next of kin have been notified and will be provided at the Arkansas State Police Preliminary Fatal Crash Summary web site.
