Oak Grove, Arkansas – A 17-year-old sustained injuries Saturday afternoon after crashing into a tree while attempting to flee from Arkansas State Police, authorities reported. The incident occurred near Oak Grove in Hot Spring County, highlighting the dangers of high-speed pursuits and emergency law enforcement maneuvers.
According to Arkansas State Police, the chase began around 3 p.m. on November 22, when a trooper attempted to stop a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado pickup on Highway 84 for a traffic violation. Rather than complying with the traffic stop, police said, the driver “refused to stop and fled,” prompting a pursuit.
The chase continued for a brief period before officers employed a TVI maneuver—commonly known as a PIT maneuver—to bring the vehicle to a halt. The PIT maneuver involves a law enforcement vehicle nudging the fleeing vehicle to spin it and safely end the pursuit. In this case, the maneuver caused the Silverado to “veer off the highway” and collide with a tree.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after the crash and transported the injured teen to a nearby hospital for treatment. Arkansas State Police did not provide details about the extent of the injuries but confirmed the driver was receiving medical care.
State police also did not comment on whether the teen would face criminal charges in connection with the pursuit or the traffic violations that initiated the stop. It remains unclear what factors led the young driver to attempt fleeing from law enforcement.
Incidents like this highlight the risks associated with high-speed chases, both for the driver and for law enforcement officers and the public. According to national safety studies, PIT maneuvers are considered a last-resort technique and are typically employed when officers determine that the potential dangers of continuing a pursuit outweigh the risks of using the maneuver.
Authorities urge drivers to comply with traffic stops and emphasize that fleeing from law enforcement can result in severe consequences, including injury or death. While PIT maneuvers are designed to minimize harm, the high speeds and sudden vehicle control changes can still lead to serious accidents, as seen in this case.
The Arkansas State Police continue to investigate the incident and have asked witnesses or anyone with information about the pursuit to come forward. Meanwhile, the teen’s condition is being monitored at the hospital.
The crash serves as a reminder of the critical importance of following traffic laws and the dangers of attempting to evade law enforcement, particularly for young and inexperienced drivers.
