MISSISSIPPI COUNTY, Ark. — A routine traffic stop on Interstate 55 escalated into a violent struggle between an Arkansas State Police trooper and a driver, leading to a five-hour search after three individuals fled into a wooded area. Authorities apprehended all three individuals later that evening.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of Aug. 27 near the 55-mile marker of I-55, according to a report submitted by Trooper Daniel Young. The driver, identified as Pedro Gonzalez, and his two passengers, Bersaino Gonzalez Gonzalez and Hermelinda Perez Hernandez, were traveling in a light blue 2014 Chevrolet Equinox bearing Tennessee license plates.
Trooper Young initiated the stop at approximately 3:26 p.m. after running the vehicle’s license plate through an Arkansas State Police database. Upon speaking with Gonzalez, Young noted that the driver presented only a Mexican passport and an insurance card that had expired in March. After determining that Gonzalez lacked what the trooper described as valid identification, Young asked him to step out of the vehicle.
Young contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of his inquiry. According to the trooper’s report, ICE confirmed Gonzalez had overstayed his visa and issued a detainer requesting that he be taken into custody.
As Young attempted to detain Gonzalez, tensions escalated. The trooper reported that Gonzalez became rigid and tried to pull away. A physical struggle ensued, during which Gonzalez allegedly attempted to grab the trooper’s firearm multiple times. Young responded with several strikes to Gonzalez in an effort to gain control. During the altercation, the two passengers exited the vehicle and fled into the nearby woods.
The confrontation between Young and Gonzalez continued in the grass along the interstate, with Young deploying his Taser at least eight times. While some deployments appeared to subdue Gonzalez temporarily, the wires were reportedly broken, ending their effectiveness. Gonzalez is alleged to have used evasive tactics, including rolling and assuming fighting stances, and at one point swung his belt at the trooper.
With one male passenger unaccounted for and visibility limited by thick brush, Young pursued Gonzalez cautiously to avoid a potential ambush. After another clash, during which Young stated Gonzalez stood and assumed a fighting stance, Gonzalez ultimately fled toward Perez Hernandez before disappearing into the tree line.
Backup from multiple agencies soon arrived to assist in the manhunt, which lasted approximately five hours. Authorities eventually located and apprehended Gonzalez, Bersaino Gonzalez Gonzalez, and Perez Hernandez. Gonzalez was initially transported to a hospital in Osceola and later transferred to UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock for treatment of injuries sustained during the incident.
Photographs submitted with Young’s report showed injuries to the trooper’s hands and arms, as well as injuries to Gonzalez, including visible blood and debris on his face.
Gonzalez faces several charges, including aggravated assault upon a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, fleeing on foot, no liability insurance, and driving without a valid license or with an expired license. Charges against the two passengers were not detailed in the report.
The Equinox was towed to A-1 Wrecker Service in Blytheville following the incident.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.