City sues local teenager

Adams accused of crashing a stolen Mustang into Arkansas building

The city of Texarkana, Ark., is suing a local man who allegedly crashed a stolen car into a city building while being chased by a Miller County deputy sheriff.

Montero Adams, who turned 17 in May, is accused of causing $5,433.34 in damage to the Ingram Pool building at 2625 Preston St., when he allegedly smashed into it May 11, 2017, with a 2015 Ford Mustang that had been stolen from a resident of a local apartment complex. Adams would have been 16 at the time.

The suit, filed Thursday on behalf of the city by Hot Springs lawyer Burt Newell, alleges the crash occurred May 10, 2017, but a Miller County Sheriff’s Office incident report lists the date as May 11, 2017. According to the incident report, deputies in Lafayette County, Ark., attempted to pull

the Mustang over shortly before 4 a.m. for having no taillights.

Lafayette County terminated their pursuit when the two-door Mustang was spotted by a Miller County deputy traveling at speeds in excess of 115 miles per hour. Deputy Jesse Mathis followed the stolen car as it reached the intersection of Interstate 49 and U.S. Highway 82 and continued heading west toward Oat Street.

Mathis was instructed to try to get the Mustang’s license plate number and end the pursuit, likely out of concern for public safety. As the Mustang turned south onto Des Moines Street, Mathis was able to get a license number and was about to call it in to dispatch, when the Mustang continued across Preston Street, failed to turn and struck the Ingram Pool building situated at Preston and Short Kniffin streets.

Four people exited the wrecked Mustang and began to run.

Three of them, all juveniles from Lafayette County, complied when Mathis ordered them to the ground. The driver, allegedly Adams, fled the scene. The three passengers were taken to a local hospital for treatment of nonlife threatening injuries. Adams allegedly sought treatment at a local hospital the day of the crash as well.

The city is asking a Miller County circuit court to award the city actual damages of $5,433.34, court costs and attorney fees. According to the complaint, a claim for damages was denied by the Mustang’s owner’s insurance provider because the car had been stolen.

Adams has 30 days from the day he is served with a copy of the complaint to respond. The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Carlton Jones of the 8th Judicial District South which serves Miller and Lafayette counties.