Car chase, wreck lands suspect a plethora of charges

EL DORADO — A Union County man who wrecked his vehicle while fleeing from a sheriff’s deputy made his first appearance Wednesday in 35th Judicial District Court, hours after he reportedly turned himself in.

Kennan Edgerton, 20, of 6137 Strong Hwy., was arrested on several charges, including fleeing (auto), leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury, reckless driving, fleeing on foot, driving left of center, driving on a suspended license (DWI), no automobile insurance, and failure to pay registration for a motor vehicle.

An investigator with the Union County Sheriff’s Office reported that he was heading north on Urbana Road at approximately 4:40 p.m. on Tuesday when he saw an “unlicensed” SUV cross the center line numerous times.

The deputy said he initiated a traffic stop, but the red Chevrolet Suburban accelerated and sped through a residential area.

A chase ensued, reaching speeds of up to 80 miles per hour before the deputy decided to end the pursuit due to safety concerns, according to a Union County sheriff’s report.

The deputy noted that an aluminum can was thrown through the driver’s window during the chase, which lasted for about five minutes.

The deputy said he notified 911 dispatchers that he was breaking up the pursuit, and he continued traveling north

until he came upon the SUV in a ditch on Phone Pole Road, just north of Mount Zion Road.

A male and a female were standing next to the SUV, and they told the deputy that they had been passengers in the vehicle.

They said Edgerton was the owner and driver of the SUV and that he had run into a wooded area nearby.

As is customary for

a vehicle accident that occurs along county roads, the Arkansas State Police was called in to investigate the accident.

“From what I understand, the pavement turned to gravel, and he lost control and hit the ditch,” county Sheriff Ricky Roberts said.

ProMed Ambulance was summoned to the scene, and Roberts said one of the passengers was transported to Medical Center of South Arkansas with minor injuries.

The sheriff’s deputy

said a wallet that was inside the SUV contained several identification cards bearing Edgerton’s name.

Also inside the vehicle were several beer cans, the deputy said.

Roberts said Edgerton turned himself into the Union County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, noting that he arrived with his father.

During his first appearance hearing Wednesday afternoon, Edgerton was issued a $5,000 unsecured bond, which

required the signatures of two registered voters in Union County.

The court determined that he was not indigent or eligible for a public defender and that he would have to his own attorney.

Edgerton was ordered to abide by a daily curfew of 5 p.m. until 7 a.m., and he was banned from operating any motor vehicles.