Trooper on leave after teen killed in Sunday chase

State Police use intervention technique to stop, wreck fleeing driver’s vehicle

A trooper with Arkansas State Police Troop D, headquartered in Forrest City, is on administrative leave following an accident Sunday afternoon in which a teenager fleeing from the officer was killed.

The officer has not been identified by State Police, nor has the accident report been posted on the agency’s website where statewide fatalities are traditionally reported.

According to a press release issued Monday afternoon by the agency’s headquarters in Little Rock, State Police are conducting an internal review and investigation into the death of the Kentucky man who died in the pursuit that began in Forrest City.

John Bomar, 19, has been identified as the driver of the vehicle who was killed in the accident.

State Police said Bomar “died after legal intervention by a state trooper was used to stop the vehicle which was being operated recklessly and endangering other motorists.”

About 4:35 p.m., a traffic violation led the trooper to initiate a traffic stop when Bomar exited the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 at Forrest City and turned north onto Highway 1, increasing his speed to more than 100 miles per hour, officials said in the press release.

“Near the St. Francis and Cross County line, a state trooper executed a precision intervention technique which led Bomar’s vehicle to exit the highway in an easterly direction into a farm field,” said ASP officials.

According to State Police, troopers and other law enforcement officers administered lifesaving measures to Bomar, who was the only occupant of the vehicle. He was transported by ambulance to a Wynne hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

“An investigation of the incident will be submitted to a prosecuting attorney of jurisdiction who will decide whether the use of deadly force by the Arkansas State Police was consistent with Arkansas laws,” said State Police officials in the press release.