Driver throws handgun during pursuit - Arkansas State Police recover drugs and end chase #pit

Trooper's Narrative: On 9/21/26 at approximately 2255 hours, I, Trooper D. Medford observed a silver Volkswagen Jetta bearing ARLPN BJI35P speeding on Interstate 30E near the 134MM. I continued to observe the vehicle for signs of impaired driving due to the driver, later identified as Marlon Pettigrew, not maintaining a continuous steady speed. Once we reached the south interchange, Pettigrew began accelerating to speeds around 90 MPH in a 65 MPH zone. I then made the decision to stop but had to wait until a location which was an elevated roadway. I began the traffic stop near the 3MM off ramp by activating my emergency equipment in my marked patrol unit. Pettigrew activated his right blinker and pulled to the right shoulder but then continued to drive and re-entered the interstate. He then began to flee by accelerating away from me and deactivating his lights. Pettigrew fled at speeds in excess of the speed limit. As we took the 4MM exit the speed was 99MPH. After taking the exit, he threw an object out of the driver’s side window. A search of the area where the object was thrown revealed a handgun. Pettigrew appeared to begin to stop, after taking the exit, on the right shoulder of Lindsey Road. As my patrol vehicle got closer to his he took his foot off the brake which led me to believe he was going to continue fleeing. I let off my brake in anticipation of the pursuit continuing, but by the time I realized his vehicle was actually stopping I did not have time to come to a stop before striking his vehicle. The vehicle had an extremely strong odor of fresh marijuana coming from it. A search of the vehicle revealed drug paraphernalia in the form of a digital scale with residue located in the center console. Pettigrew was transported to PCRDF where he was charged accordingly. The gun was taken and stored as evidence. 27-36-204, 27-50-302(3)-DRIVING WITH LIGHTS OFF TO AVOID DETECTION 5-53-111(a), (b)(2)-TAMPERING WITH PHYSICAL EVIDENCE 5-54-125(d)(2) 2023-FLEEING - VEHICLE OR CONVEYANCE - EXCEEDING THE SPEED LIMIT 5-73-120-CARRYING A WEAPON 27-22-104-NO LIABILITY INSURANCE 27-51-201, 27-50-302(7)-SPEEDING - MORE THAN 15 MPH OVER LIMIT 5-64-443(a)(1)-POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA