FORREST CITY, Ark. — An Arkansas State Police trooper struck a road sign and a tree during a late-night vehicle pursuit through Forrest City on Oct. 24, according to an incident report. Authorities say the suspected driver fled on foot, while charges were approved the following day against a man identified by a passenger as the driver.
The incident began around 11:46 p.m. when Trooper David Bennett attempted to stop a silver Kia Sorento over a non-functioning passenger-side brake light, the report states. The SUV initially stopped on Mississippi Street after passing through the Forrest City Civic Center parking lot, but sped away as Bennett exited his patrol vehicle.
The pursuit led the SUV through several stop signs and off the road at one point on West Buford Street. The vehicle reportedly went airborne while crossing railroad tracks. Near Hodges Street, Bennett used the front bumper of his patrol car to strike the rear of the SUV, causing it to spin off the road, but the driver managed to regain control and continue fleeing.
While repositioning his vehicle and searching for his radio microphone, Bennett struck both a road sign and a tree, damaging his patrol vehicle, according to his report. The SUV was later spotted stopped in the roadway on Hodges Street. Bennett pursued the driver on foot but was unable to locate him.
Two passengers were found standing near the vehicle upon Bennett’s return. The trooper discovered an Arkansas ID card near the driver's seat belonging to 27-year-old Ray Vern Thomas Jr. One of the passengers identified Thomas as the driver, the report states. Both passengers were released, and the vehicle was towed from the scene.
On Oct. 25, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kelsey Hobbs approved multiple charges against Thomas. They include felony fleeing in a vehicle, fleeing on foot, obstruction of governmental operations, reckless driving, failure to obey a stop sign, and a vehicle lighting violation.
No additional details have been released. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.