September 19, 2024

A Little Rock man will be charged with First-Degree Murder and Felony Fleeing in the death of a 27-year-old Maumelle man following a wrong-way collision on Interstate 430 near Colonel Glenn Road early this morning. Anthony B. Smith, 24, of Little Rock was driving the wrong way and fleeing from law enforcement at speeds exceeding 125 mph.

Clifford James Griffin, 27, was driving a 2018 Jeep south when Smith, driving a BMW 325, swerved and hit Griffin’s vehicle head on. Griffin was pronounced dead at the scene. Smith was transported to a Little Rock hospital, where he is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries sustained in the collision. When he is released, he will be taken into custody and transported to the Pulaski County Detention Center.

At approximately 2:46 a.m. today, the Benton Police Department requested assistance from Arkansas State Police because the suspect was fleeing east on Interstate 30 at a high rate of speed. During the pursuit, Smith narrowly missed numerous vehicles and evaded law enforcement by driving over 100 mph through a construction zone and going the wrong way on I-30, I-430 and an exit ramp. A Trooper attempted to stop the suspect’s vehicle using tactical vehicle intervention but Smith evaded the maneuver, accelerating north on I-430 South.

“The loss of this promising young man’s life is devastating,” said ASP Colonel Mike Hagar. “This tragedy is a direct result of the suspect’s reckless, selfish actions. The suspect terrorized an untold number of motorists who should be able to travel our roadways in peace.”

The collision pushed both vehicles into the tree line, resulting in a fire. Little Rock Police Department, Little Rock Fire Department, Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, Benton Police Department, Bryant Police Department, Saline County Sheriff’s Office and MEMS responded to the wreck.