Authorities in Arkansas have released dramatic video footage capturing a nerve-wracking police chase that reached speeds of 100 mph, involving a car with four young children inside. Among them was a 4-month-old baby who was thrown from the vehicle as it overturned.
The tense scenes unfolded on May 24, when law enforcement tried to pull over 28-year-old Tyrice Fletcher for a traffic infraction in Camden. Instead of complying, Fletcher accelerated, sparking a high-speed pursuit captured on camera.
The Arkansas State Police stated they were unaware of the children’s presence in the vehicle as they pursued Fletcher along Ouachita Country Road 47. The chase concluded in chaos when Fletcher lost control, veering off the road and crashing into a light pole, causing the car to flip, according to police reports.
In the intense footage, an officer is seen cautiously approaching the wreckage and spotting an infant lying in the grass, perilously close to the smoking car and fallen power lines.
Quickly reacting, the officer scoops up the baby and rushes to a safer location, securing the child in the back of his patrol car while his partner remains vigilant at the crash site.
Soon after, the officers discover the other children, all under the age of six, still inside the overturned vehicle. They assist the young passengers out of the car, ensuring they are safely transferred to their squad cars for medical assessment and care.
The horrified troopers could be seen swaddling the youngest children and providing them with water as officers took Fletcher into custody, with police finding a defaced firearm and marijuana inside the car.
Despite the terrifying crash, the children only suffered minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to Ouachita County Medical Center. Their mother was notified of the crash.
“As a father, I cannot fathom a parent making the decision to drive recklessly, much less flee from law enforcement, with their children in the vehicle,” ASP Col. Mike Hagar said.
“I thank God the children were not injured,” he added.
“The suspect’s decisions placed four innocent victims in harm’s way,” Troop F Capt. Rick Neill said in a statement. At any point during the pursuit, the suspect could have stopped.
“He refused to stop. The danger created that day was the direct result of the suspect’s actions,” Neill added.
Fletcher, of El Dorado, was charged with felony fleeing, possession of a defaced firearm, possession of firearm by certain persons, four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, criminal mischief, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, four counts of no child passenger restraint, reckless driving, no driver’s license, no seatbelt and improper passing on the left.
