Police Pursuit Crosses County Line, Twice
September 6th, 2014 by iPhone
Last Friday at approximately 5:40 PM Sheriff Mark Gober was traveling down Highway 172 when he observed a white Chevrolet Dually pickup parked partially in the northbound lane with the rear of the vehicle in the grass and the front of the vehicle touching the center line of the highway. As Sheriff Gober approached the vehicle it began traveling northbound.
As he passed the vehicle he observed the vehicle through his rearview mirror cross the center line twice going completely into the southbound lane both times. At this time Sheriff Gober felt as if the subject driving was impaired and was going to cause substantial danger to the safety of the public so he attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle. The driver of the dually refused to stop and continued until the end of the highway and turned west bound on Highway 278 West traveling towards Warren. The vehicle crossed the center median lane twice before reaching the 189 Bypass just east of Warren city limits and continued until turning onto the 189 bypass leading Sheriff Gober through parts of Warren. Sheriff Gober stated that oncoming traffic was having to stop or pull over to avoid being hit by the truck due to him crossing into the opposite lane of traffic. When they approached back to the area of Highway 278 W. the dually turned east bound traveling back toward Drew County reaching speeds at this point of 95 MPH. Deputy James Slaughter of Drew County at this time arrived to assist Sheriff Gober with the pursuit. The driver of the dually continued to travel east bound crossing all 5 lanes of the highway into oncoming traffic. Sheriff Gober positioned his vehicle in front of the dually to alert innocent motorist and to attempt to slow the vehicle down while Deputy Slaughter followed the suspects vehicle.
During this attempt the suspect applied his brakes in front of Deputy Slaughter causing Slaughters patrol unit to strike the suspects vehicle. At this point the suspects’ vehicle spun in the roadway turning the vehicle back towards the west. The suspect continued to travel west towards Warren at this point. Warren Police Department Officers along with Bradley County Deputy’s arrived to assist in the pursuit at this time. The suspect still refusing to stop struck the rear of Sheriff Gober’s vehicle and continued traveling west bound until losing control and coming to rest just inside Warren City limits. Deputy James Slaughter was able to position his patrol car against the rear tires of the suspects vehicle keeping him from fleeing anymore.
Bruce James of Warren was identified as the driver of the vehicle and was arrested at the scene with no further incident. Arkansas State Police Cpl. Brian Curry investigated the accident portion of the incident. Bruce James is currently being held at the Drew County Detention Facility of felony charges in reference to the incident.
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Dang……..
Thank you Deputy Slaughter for continuing to give your all to protect Drew County
Thank god all involved wasn’t hurt including my BETTER HALF JamesSlaughter. I never realized how stressful being a police officers ole lady was until about 5 years ago. You pray every day as they put that uniform on and go on duty that they stay safe and god willing are able to be back at home everyday/night that they go out! Until you have a loved one as a police officer and hear of some of their calls or traffic stop stories ya really dont know what all they do and go through to protect and serve. I know i never did. Its truly their calling to put themselves in some of the dangerous situations that they face. I thank God for every day that he is able to return home safe to his kids and family. Thanks to all law enforcement for all that you do.