An Izard County man was arrested last week after a high-speed chase with an Arkansas State Police trooper, authorities said.
Aaron B. Laxton, 34, was arrested Jan. 20 on multiple charges, including felony fleeing and felony aggravated assault, according to court documents.
The trooper initiated the pursuit after clocking Laxton’s eastbound truck at 75 mph in a 55 mph zone on State Highway 69 near Moorefield, according to court documents.
During the mile-long chase, Laxton drove into oncoming traffic and at one point slammed on his brakes, causing the trooper’s vehicle to hit the rear of Laxton’s truck. The pursuit ended after the trooper executed a tactical vehicle maneuver, forcing Laxton’s truck off the roadway, where it overturned.
Laxton was taken into custody and transported to White River Medical Center in Batesville for minor injuries.
A 9mm handgun was found in Laxton’s vehicle, according to his arrest affidavit. Authorities later determined the truck had been reported stolen in Izard County.
Court records show Laxton has seven prior felony convictions, including a charge of possession of a firearm by a certain person.
His bond was set at $100,000.
On Jan. 21, Laxton was charged as a habitual offender in Izard County Circuit Court with two felony counts of theft of property and possession of a firearm by certain persons.
According to Izard County officials, Laxton was accused of stealing a 2012 Dodge Ram out of Melbourne on Jan. 20 that also contained a 9mm Taurus pistol.
His bond in Izard County was set at $15,000.
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