HIGH SPEED PURSUIT ENDS W/ 131 MPH PIT MANEUVER - Suspect crashes severely injures elderly couple

The crash happened on Aug. 5 when an ASP Trooper attempted to stop a Hyundai Sonata traveling northbound on Interstate 555 at the 24-mile marker for a traffic violation. Police say the Sonata's driver, 32-year-old Laloyd L. Hamilton, did not stop and accelerated to approximately 130 mph as they pursued him. When the chase reached the 28-mile marker, the Trooper performed a PIT maneuver that caused the fleeing vehicle to violently crash into another car carrying a 68-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man. At this time, no updates on the condition of the couple have been provided. -------------- Portions of the Trooper's report: As I began traveling northbound and approaching the violator, I observed the vehicle turn on the hazard lights and enter the outside lane. I concluded that the vehicle would be slowing down to take exit 24. The vehicle bypassed the exit and was still traveling 90mph, topping the overpass. I called out my traffic stop to Troop C communications and gave the tag number and vehicle description. I noticed the suspect vehicle had accelerated to speeds of 122mph at this time. I advised my dispatcher that I was in pursuit of the vehicle at this time. The vehicle continued northbound, reaching speeds of 130mph in a posted 75mph zone, and began passing vehicles on the right and driving recklessly. The vehicle was approaching the city limits of Trumann and was driving without due regard for other motorists on the roadway, and I needed to end the pursuit before it traveled into a more populated area. I performed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) on the vehicle near the 28-mile marker. While performing a driver-side TVI on the vehicle, it began to yaw. The driver of the vehicle appeared to attempt to avoid losing control and overcorrected, causing the vehicle to travel into the outside lane and strike a black Toyota Highland traveling northbound. This collision caused to exit the roadway to the right and overturn several times before coming to final rest on the passenger side. I exited my patrol vehicle and began giving commands for the suspect to exit the vehicle. The suspect, later identified as Laloyd Hamilton, exited the vehicle and began stumbling. Hamilton continued to stumble in the area and looked as though he was going to try to retrieve something. Off-duty part-time deputy Jay Paul Woods and I continued to give Hamilton commands. Finally, after several commands, Hamilton lay face down in front of his vehicle and was taken into custody without incident. After the suspect was in custody, Deputy Woods assisted the occupants later identified as Carmela and George Contos. Mr. and Mrs. Contos were severely injured and were bleeding profusely. Both occupants were trapped inside the vehicle, and we could not remove them without extrication equipment. Mrs. Contos had a visibly broken arm and head trauma. Deputy Woods and I remained with the occupants until first responders arrived on scene, safely removing them without causing further injury. I went back to my patrol car to speak with Hamilton. He kept asking why I PIT maneuvered him when he had his hazard lights on. He advised that he was heading to his daughter, who was having a medical emergency. EMS arrived to examine Hamilton at the rear of my vehicle, and he was lying down, moaning, and not being responsive. I observed first responders administer Narcan on Hamilton. While at the scene, several family members of Hamilton began to gather. I contacted one of the individuals, Jamelia Smith, who advised that Hamilton was her child's father. I asked her where he was heading, and she advised that he was coming back to Jonesboro. I asked her if she or her children needed medical attention or were in an emergency, and she advised "no," but that she had chest pains herself earlier that day. Upon a search of the suspect vehicle, narcotics were located and documented. Located in the driver's side floorboard was a prescription bottle of Promethazine that had the name and address of the individual scratched off. There was also a bag of marijuana (44g) in a plastic baggie beside the Promethazine. Located in the center console were 2 more pill bottles with the names and addresses scratched off. In one bottle, there were (4) 30mg Oxycodone pills, and the other bottle contained (18) 60mg OxyContin pills. Both occupants of V2 were flown to the Regional One Medical Center in Memphis for their injuries. A search warrant for blood was issued, signed by Judge Ron Hunter, and presented to the nursing staff at NEA, but they refused to execute it due to "company policy." Charges: -FLEEING -CRIMINAL MISCHIEF - 2ND DEGREE -BATTERY - 2ND DEGREE -POSSESS CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE SCHED IV,V -POSSESS W PURPOSE DEL CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE SCHED I,II -POSSESS CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE SCHED VI -DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED - DWI 1ST DRUGS -RECKLESS DRIVING -SPEEDING