SOUTHSIDE, Ark. — A pursuit involving a U-Haul truck ended with the vehicle rolling onto its side after an Arkansas State Police trooper executed a tactical maneuver on Oct. 2 along Batesville Boulevard. The truck's driver and two dogs inside were reported unharmed, according to the trooper’s statement.
The incident began around 8:21 p.m. when Cpl. Jeff Richardson observed the U-Haul traveling south at 61 mph in a 45 mph zone. Richardson made a U-turn at Community Drive to follow the vehicle, and the driver, later identified as 41-year-old Casey N. Whalen of DeWitt, appeared to brake and slow down.
Richardson reported the truck began swerving within and out of its lane after passing businesses along the route, including Sonic and Harps, before accelerating south. At around 8:22 p.m., the trooper activated his lights, sirens, and spotlight to signal the driver to stop. However, Whalen allegedly ignored these attempts and increased her speed to approximately 55 mph near Scott Drive.
After reporting the event to dispatch, Richardson attempted a tactical vehicle intervention maneuver when the U-Haul reached about 59 mph. His first attempt failed, and when the truck accelerated to 64 mph, he tried again. According to Richardson’s report, the maneuver caused the bumpers of the two vehicles to become interlocked. The U-Haul struck a mailbox, hit a curb, and rolled onto its driver’s side off the roadway. Richardson’s patrol car also left the road and spun before coming to a halt.
Richardson exited his vehicle to find Whalen sitting on the U-Haul’s driver-side door with two dogs. Assistance from an Independence County deputy enabled Richardson to open the U-Haul’s passenger door and help Whalen exit.
The trooper observed signs of intoxication, including the smell of alcohol, watery eyes, and the presence of four opened beer cans inside the truck. Whalen refused an initial breath test at the scene and was taken to the county jail, where field sobriety tests were conducted. Richardson reported several indications of impairment during the tests, including difficulty maintaining balance and failing to follow instructions.
Although Whalen declined to speak to Richardson after being read her Miranda rights, she later stated she was returning to Arkansas from Missouri. The trooper’s report noted that she refused a chemical sobriety test in the jail’s testing area.
Richardson listed anticipated charges against Whalen, including felony fleeing and first-offense driving while intoxicated. She was placed on hold for the 16th Judicial Drug Task Force, which will handle the filing of felony charges. Specific details regarding formal charges, bond amount, or an initial court date were not provided in the report.
Property damage from the incident included an estimated $2,882 to Richardson’s patrol car, $600 to the U-Haul, and $250 to replace the damaged mailbox and post. The report did not indicate any injuries to Whalen or the two dogs.
Whalen, like all suspects, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.