Drunk, Speeding, & Reckless - Pursuit ends via Arkansas State Police PIT MANEUVER #chase #pit

Trooper's Report: On 08/05/2025, at approximately 11:48 PM, I was notified by Troop H Communications, in conjunction with Troop L, that Van Buren Police Department (Officers Blunt #436 and Sgt. Decroo #489) were engaged in a vehicle pursuit south on Highway 59, approaching Barling. At the time, I was at Zero Street and Highway 271 and immediately responded. Van Buren PD reported the suspect vehicle was traveling at speeds up to 100 miles-per-hour. Upon entering the Barling city limits on Highway 59, Barling Officer Douglas (#7) assumed control of the pursuit. Later during the pursuit, he would be supported by Sebastian County Sheriff’s Deputies Freeman (#24) and Bollin (#7). While en route, I was advised the pursuit had moved west on Highway 22 into Fort Smith, then onto Rogers Avenue. Traffic on Rogers Ave. was light, and speeds remained around 90 MPH. Van Buren PD disengaged once the pursuit reached I-540. Officer Douglas attempted a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) near South Albert Pike Ave, but it was unsuccessful. The suspect continued west on Rogers Ave., past Old Greenwood Ave. I became the primary unit when the suspect vehicle turned onto North A Street, evading Officer Douglas. At approximately 11:58 PM, I observed the fleeing vehicle to be a red Chevy Impala with no visible license plates. The pursuit continued west on N A Street (a one-way street traveling eastbound), into oncoming traffic, reaching speeds of 75 MPH. The vehicle then turned south onto N 9th Street. At that time, I successfully executed a TVI maneuver, disabling the vehicle before it could reach Garrison Avenue. The vehicle came to rest with the driver’s side facing me. I gave several verbal commands for the driver to exit the vehicle, later identified as Vladimir Tejada. I then had to physically open the door, reach in the driver side interior, and unlock his own seatbelt. Due to him passively resisting my commands, I physically extricated him from the vehicle. In order to safely secure him, I guided him to the ground. During this event, his left eyebrow swiped against my vehicle. He was then placed into custody. During this process, he sustained a minor injury to his left eyebrow. EMS was notified and responded, but Mr. Tejada declined medical assistance. While speaking with him, I detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from him. His eyes were bloodshot and watery, he stumbled while walking, and his speech was slurred. He submitted a breath sample on my portable breath test, which confirmed alcohol consumption. Due to his uncooperative behavior and safety concerns, Standard Field Sobriety Tests were not conducted. As a precaution, I transported Mr. Tejada to Baptist Health to have him medically cleared. While at Baptist, I attempted to read Mr. Tejada the Arkansas Statement of Rights Form. I read the form until “Do you understand all parts of these rights.” I was attempting to have Mr. Tejada initial where needed before moving on with the form. Mr. Tejada expressed that he wanted his lawyer present, as he did not understand the form as I read it to him. After attempting to let him read the form, Mr. Tejada continued to express he did not want to move forward with the form until his lawyer was present. He even signed on the subject’s signature “I want my lawyer.” Due to his actions, I considered this as a refusal of the test. He also refused to sign the Administrative License Suspension form and signed “Lawyer.” After he was medically cleared, Mr. Tejada was transported to Sebastian County Adult Detention Center for booking. Pictures of both Mr. Tejada’s vehicle and my unit were taken. I sustained minor cosmetic damages to my vehicle while Mr. Tejada’s vehicle was disabled with minor damages. Charges: 5-54-125 (d)(3) Fleeing - Felony - Vehicle or Conveyance - Substantial Danger of Death, 5-65-105 Driving DWI Suspended, 5-65-303 2ND: Underage Driving Under Influence - 2ND, 5-65-205 Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test. Citations: 27-50-308(b)(1)(A)- Reckless Driving - 1st Offense, 27-14-701 Owner Failed to Register Tags - Expired Tags, 27-14- 304 Driving Vehicle without Tags, 27-51-201 Speeding More than 15 MPH Over Limit, 27-51-304 Driving Wrong Way on One Way Road. Warrant: Fort Smith 25-03232# - Contempt of Court - Failure to Pay Fines