West Memphis, Ark. — A high-speed pursuit involving Arkansas State Police came to an end near Marion when a trooper forced a fleeing vehicle off Interstate 55 using a tactical vehicle intervention (TVI), according to an incident report.

The chase began at approximately 6:43 p.m. on July 22 when Trooper Eli Thomas observed a white Toyota Camry traveling west on Interstate 40 near the 284-mile marker. The vehicle was driving slowly in the left lane, causing other drivers to change lanes to pass, Thomas reported. A check of the vehicle’s license plate did not return any records, prompting Thomas to initiate a traffic stop.

The Camry initially signaled as if to pull over but then accelerated from 65 mph to over 100 mph, ultimately reaching speeds near 120 mph in a 65 mph zone, according to the report. During the pursuit, a black Audi allegedly merged in front of Thomas’s patrol car, forcing him to swerve to avoid a collision.

As the chase unfolded, the Camry weaved through traffic and reportedly engaged in erratic behavior that Trooper Thomas described as attempting to prevent a TVI. Thomas reported seeing the driver smiling, laughing, and making an obscene hand gesture through the driver’s side mirror. The car also narrowly avoided collisions with a tractor-trailer and a pickup truck while crossing lanes multiple times.

The pursuit transitioned to northbound Interstate 55. Thomas attempted a TVI near the 9-mile marker, but the maneuver was unsuccessful. With traffic increasing and people visible near a gas station close to Exit 10, Thomas executed a second TVI. The Camry left the roadway and stopped in a ditch.

The driver, identified as Phillip Johnson, 25, of St. Louis, fled on foot toward a residential area but was apprehended shortly after with assistance from the West Memphis Police Department. No further incidents were reported during the arrest.

Johnson’s driver’s license was suspended at the time. He faces allegations of impeding traffic, fictitious tags, no liability insurance, felony fleeing by vehicle, reckless driving, fleeing on foot, driving on a suspended license, possession of controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The 2026 Toyota Camry was confirmed to be owned by Enterprise Rental. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $25,000, according to the report.

All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.