An Arkansas State Trooper ended a high-speed pursuit Friday, Oct. 23, with a driving maneuver that spun the vehicle being pursued down a small ravine on an Independence County road.
Trooper First Class Chris Barnett was patrolling northbound on U.S. Highway 167, south of Hilly Village Road, when his radar clocked a southbound Mustang traveling at 75 m.p.h, according to the affidavit of probable cause for arrest. Barnett said in the affidavit he initiated his emergency lights, but the Mustang passed him and accelerated. That’s when he turned southbound in pursuit of the Mustang which, according to the court information, reached speeds of up to 122 m.p.h.
After the vehicle turned east onto Pfeiffer Road, Barnett noted it reached a speed of 110 m.p.h. on a straight stretch before it approached a series of curves. The trooper continued to pursue the Mustang at a safe distance, reporting the vehicle negotiated curves while traveling in the opposite lane at a high rate of speed, the affidavit noted.
Finally, when Barnett and the Mustang were about a half mile’s distance from Hwy. 167 and determining the suspect’s driving was a danger to the public, the trooper was able to position his vehicle to successfully perform a precision immobilization technique (PIT). The Mustang spun across a southbound lane on Hilly Village Road and down a small ravine, the affidavit said.
The driver, identified as Amanda N. Miller (pictured), 32, of Batesville, and her passenger surrendered without further incident. The Arkansas Crime Information Center showed Miller to be an absconder and has also been convicted of four or more prior felonies.
Miller was placed into custody at the scene, and her passenger was released.
The affidavit notes Miller is facing a felony count of fleeing by vehicle and a misdemeanor count of speeding. Authorities are also requesting Miller be charged as a habitual offender.
Image via Independence County Sheriff’s Department
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