Emmet man charged in Hot Springs pursuit

HOT SPRINGS — An Emmet man was arrested by Arkansas State Police about 2 a.m. Thursday after allegedly fleeing in a stolen white pickup and later on foot.

Dale Edward White, 18, was taken into custody and charged with felony counts of fleeing in a vehicle and fleeing on foot with injury, each punishable by up to six years in prison, and a misdemeanor count of reckless driving.

White was being held on $5,500 bond and is to appear July 16 in Garland County District Court.

According to the probable cause affidavit, about 2 a.m. Trooper Ryan Wingo observed a white pickup traveling south on Central Avenue with a taillight out. He followed the vehicle and noted it was unable to maintain driving in its lane and was repeatedly hitting the curb.

After Wingo attempted to make a traffic stop in the 3600 block of Central Avenue, the truck merged into the left lane and began to speed up.

While traveling south the vehicle occupied both lanes and was traveling about 70 mph in a 45 mph zone and then changed lanes multiple times.

Around the 4500 block of Central, Wingo attempted to “pit the vehicle” while it was traveling about 100 mph. The driver reportedly put on the brakes and the truck began rotating counterclockwise. Wingo tried to pin the truck with his front bumper, but the truck continued to drive, now headed north.

The truck turned onto Higdon Ferry Road, traveling 60 mph in a 40 mph zone, and Wingo attempted the pit maneuver again, this time successfully causing the truck to spin into the ditch where it was disabled.

The driver, later identified as White, reportedly exited the vehicle and began to flee on foot into the southbound ditch. Wingo said he lost his footing and fell while attempting to pursue White, but regained his footing as White fled into the woods.

Wingo closed the gap between them and was able to deploy his Taser and take White into custody.

White reportedly stated he fled because he had recently stolen the vehicle.

Paramedics examined both the trooper and White. Wingo reportedly sustained minor cuts and damage to his uniform and was informed he might need stitches for his left arm abrasion.