LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Dashcam footage from the Arkansas State Police vividly captures a high-speed pursuit through Little Rock that ended with a car overturning and its driver being ejected after a tactical stop maneuver.
The chase began around 9:11 p.m. on July 31 when Trooper James Booth spotted a white Kia Optima swerving left of center and struggling to maintain control near the Interstates 40 and 30 interchange. Booth initiated a traffic stop, and the vehicle came to a halt on the shoulder near Exit 139. According to an Arkansas State Police incident report, the driver—identified as 27-year-old Patrick Johns of Jacksonville—allegedly told Booth he had been searching for a safe place to stop. Booth instructed Johns to turn off the vehicle, but ASP reports that Johns instead fled the scene.
The pursuit moved westbound onto Interstate 630, with the Kia reportedly weaving dangerously through traffic at speeds exceeding 100 mph. Booth also noted in his report that Johns narrowly avoided collisions with other vehicles during the chase.
Johns exited onto University Avenue, heading northward at speeds over 90 mph before running a red light at Cantrell Road. Turning east, he entered the opposite lane of traffic, further heightening risks to public safety. On Cantrell Road, near Club 1836, Trooper Booth was authorized to perform a tactical vehicle intervention (TVI), a maneuver used to safely end pursuits.
The trooper’s patrol unit struck the rear driver’s side of the Kia, sending it off the roadway. The vehicle overturned, crashing into a power pole ground cable, brick structures, and the signage for the club. Investigators confirmed that Johns was thrown from the car during the crash and landed on his chest.
Emergency responders transported Johns to UAMS Medical Center with injuries reportedly classified as non-life-threatening. Assisting officers secured the scene until medical personnel completed their work.
A search of the crash site and vehicle revealed suspected marijuana in a brightly colored package, a rolled blunt, and an open tequila bottle.
Johns now faces an array of charges stemming from the incident, including fleeing in a vehicle while exceeding the speed limit, unauthorized use of a vehicle, second-degree criminal mischief with damages exceeding $5,000, possession of less than 4 ounces of a Schedule VI controlled substance, failure to wear a seat belt, and having an open container of alcohol.
Arkansas State Police remind the public that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.