Arkansas cops released footage of a harrowing 100 mph police chase involving a car with four small children inside — including a 4-month-old who was flung from the vehicle when it flipped.
Stomach-dropping video of the May 24 high-speed pursuit captured the moment police attempted to stop Tyrice Fletcher, 28, for a traffic violation in Camden, only for the driver to speed off.
Arkansas State Police contend that they did not know children were in the car when they began zooming after the runaway driver on Ouachita Country Road 47. The wild chase only ended when Fletcher lost control and swerved off the road, hitting a light pole and flipping over, police said.
An ASP officer could be seen walking cautiously toward the wreck and noticing an infant lying in the grass near the smoking vehicle and downed electrical wires in the shocking footage.
The officer quickly picks up the child and runs to safety, securing the infant in the back of his cruiser while his partner keeps watch over the car.
The officers eventually see the other children, all below the age of 6, inside the car and help them exit the overturned vehicle and guide them to their squad cars, where they could be inspected and treated for any injuries.
The horrified troopers could be seen swaddling the youngest children and providing them with water as officers took Fletcher into custody, with police finding a defaced firearm and marijuana inside the car.
Despite the terrifying crash, the children only suffered minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to Ouachita County Medical Center. Their mother was notified of the crash.
“As a father, I cannot fathom a parent making the decision to drive recklessly, much less flee from law enforcement, with their children in the vehicle,” ASP Col. Mike Hagar said.
“I thank God the children were not injured,” he added.
“The suspect’s decisions placed four innocent victims in harm’s way,” Troop F Capt. Rick Neill said in a statement. “At any point during the pursuit, the suspect could have stopped.”
“He refused to stop. The danger created that day was the direct result of the suspect’s actions,” Neill added.
Fletcher, of El Dorado, was charged with felony fleeing, possession of a defaced firearm, possession of firearm by certain persons, four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, criminal mischief, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, four counts of no child passenger restraint, reckless driving, no driver’s license, no seatbelt and improper passing on the left.
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