Deputy injured while stopping vehicle in race

A St. Francis County Sheriff’s Deputy was injured and his patrol car likely totaled when he reportedly used it to stop one of two cars racing on Highway 1 Sunday night.

The accident occurred about 10:15 p.m., at the intersection of Highway 1 and Linden Road, also known as Highway 334.

St. Francis County Sheriff Bobby May this morning said two deputies began chasing the vehicles, which were traveling over 100 miles per hour through Forrest City.

“We got into a chase with these two young guys racing and going over 100-plus miles an hour,” said May. “Two deputies got behind them and they wouldn’t stop, so one did a pit maneuver. The car spun and ran into the deputy’s car,” said May.

The deputy, Scott Melton, suffered a “severe cut on his hand,” according to a report on file at the Forrest City Police Department.

The patrol car struck a vehicle driven by Zakorieen Brown, 19, of Forrest City, who was taken into custody at the scene. Brown is charged with reckless driving, speeding, fleeing in a vehicle, no driver’s license, driving without headlights, possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with purpose to deliver and two counts of aggravated assault or accomplice to aggravated assault.

The other driver fled the scene, according to May.

May said deputies are faced with difficult decisions when it comes to chasing fleeing vehicles.

“A lot of times we just don’t know who it is,” said May. “If we’re just out patrolling and someone is speeding, I don’t think it’s a good idea to risk the lives of our deputies or the public over a speeding ticket. Now, if it’s something more serious where we’re looking for someone and that results in a chase, that’s a different situation.”