A lane-violation stop set off a five-mile pursuit that tore through fields, city streets and neighborhoods before ending in a crash on East Broad Street, police say.
TEXARKANA, Ark. — Two people are behind bars after a high-speed chase wound nearly five miles across the city Thursday night, ending in a crash and a stack of felony charges, according to the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department.
The pursuit began around 7:20 p.m. on Aug. 6, when officers tried to stop a white 2009 Chevrolet pickup for a lane violation in the 2900 block of Arkansas Boulevard. Instead of pulling over, the truck sped off, touching off a chase that lasted about 20 minutes and reached speeds approaching 100 mph.
“During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle traveled at speeds approaching 100 miles per hour and covered nearly 5 miles,” said Lt. Rick Cockrell of the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department.
According to police, the pickup cut through an open field, raced down city streets and pushed into residential areas, at one point nearly causing a wreck. “At one point, the suspect vehicle turned directly in front of a motorcycle, nearly causing the motorcyclist to lose control,” Cockrell said.
The chase turned more dangerous when the truck turned around on a dead-end road and collided with a patrol unit. “Due to damage sustained to the patrol unit and the continued danger posed by the pursuit, TAPD supervisors directed the initial pursuing officers to terminate the pursuit,” Cockrell said.
The truck didn’t stay lost for long. With help from the Miller County Sheriff’s Office and Arkansas State Police, officers relocated the vehicle, which then crashed into another car on East Broad Street, in the 7400 block. Both occupants ran from the wreck on foot before being caught, police said.
Officers identified the driver as Anna Reed, 39, of Monroe, Louisiana. She faces felony fleeing by vehicle, felony second-degree battery, felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, two counts of felony possession of drug paraphernalia and a misdemeanor count of fleeing on foot. She is also being held on a hold from the Arkansas parole board.
The passenger, Kevin Martin, 47, of Maud, Texas, was booked on felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, two counts of felony possession of drug paraphernalia and a misdemeanor count of fleeing on foot.
Investigators said the drug case is still developing. “At this point in time we are not aware of who or where they were trying to deliver the narcotics,” Cockrell said. The 8th South Judicial Drug Task Force is assisting with that side of the investigation.
As of Friday morning, both remained at the Miller County Detention Center. Bail on the misdemeanor charge was set at $285; bail on the felony counts had not yet been set.