JACKSON COUNTY, Ark. — A traffic stop escalated into a high-speed chase on rural roads in Jackson County on June 1, ending when a pickup truck went airborne after striking a culvert and crashed into a stationary tractor-trailer. The details emerge from an Arkansas State Police (ASP) incident report.
Trooper Grayson Russell said he initiated the traffic stop around 10:42 a.m. while conducting enforcement along Interstate 57 near the 95-mile marker. He observed a black 2006 GMC Sierra failing to stay in its lane and noted the driver was not wearing a seat belt.
After stopping the truck on State Highway 37, Russell identified the driver as Troy Garrett Alexander, 42, of Cash. A check of the truck's Arkansas license plate revealed it was fictitious, according to the report.
As Russell approached the vehicle, Alexander allegedly fled north on a nearby farm road, triggering a pursuit. The chase spanned multiple farm roads and county roads, including Jackson County Roads 81, 82, and 74, before returning to Road 82. At that point, the pickup left the roadway, struck a driveway culvert, and became airborne. It reportedly traveled hundreds of feet, colliding with the passenger side of a parked tractor-trailer.
Debris from the violent crash scattered across the roadway. Russell’s patrol car struck a large piece of debris, which damaged the vehicle’s undercarriage and cracked its windshield. ASP estimated the damage to the cruiser at $2,378, and plans to seek restitution through the prosecuting attorney’s office.
After the collision, Alexander exited the wrecked truck. Russell said that while the suspect complied with an order to get on the ground, he repeatedly rolled toward him despite commands to face away. Russell reported using a Taser in drive-stun mode to gain compliance after placing a knee on Alexander’s back. The suspect was then handcuffed without further incident, per the report.
Emergency medical responders from the Newport Fire Department transported Alexander to St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was treated for a broken nose sustained in the crash and released. A subsequent evaluation reportedly found no injuries or marks from the Taser.
Following medical clearance, Alexander was booked into the Jackson County Detention Center. He faces charges including felony fleeing by vehicle under circumstances creating a substantial danger of death, resisting arrest, reckless driving, speeding more than 15 mph above the limit, and failure to appear. Additional infractions listed include driving on a suspended license, no seat belt, no liability insurance, fictitious tags, and several vehicle registration violations.
An investigator with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division has been tasked with completing the felony case file and submitting formal charges.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.