The incident happened on Sunday, May 24, in Ouachita County, Arkansas. Arkansas State Police released the dramatic footage on Friday, June 5, sparking outrage across the state.
It all started when a trooper attempted to pull over a Toyota Highlander for a routine traffic violation in Camden. The driver, 28-year-old Tyrice Fletcher of El Dorado, Arkansas, refused to stop — and instead hit the gas.
What the trooper didn’t know at the time? There were four young children inside that vehicle.
The Chase
Fletcher accelerated to speeds exceeding 100 mph as he fled Camden’s city limits, heading south on Ouachita County Road 47. Authorities say he swerved into oncoming traffic, putting other innocent drivers at serious risk.
The trooper attempted two tactical maneuvers to stop the vehicle — both failed.
The Crash
Fletcher lost control going around a curve. His vehicle struck a light pole and flipped — coming to rest directly beneath live electrical wires.
In the chaos of the crash, the 4-month-old baby was ejected from the vehicle.
Dashcam footage released by Arkansas State Police shows a trooper rushing to the infant, scooping the baby up, and sprinting to his patrol car.
Three other children — all under the age of 6 — were pulled from the wreckage.
Miraculously, all four children were taken to Ouachita County Medical Center and treated for only minor injuries. Their mother was called to the hospital.
The Charges
Fletcher, who is reportedly a convicted felon, now faces a serious list of charges:
- 4 counts of endangering the welfare of a minor
- Felony fleeing
- Reckless driving
- Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- Possession of a controlled substance
What the Colonel Said
Arkansas State Police Colonel Mike Hagar did not hold back in his statement.
“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,” Hagar said.
He added, “When suspects have children in their vehicles, they should be punished accordingly.”
The children are safe — but this story is a stark reminder of the deadly consequences that reckless decisions behind the wheel can have on the most innocent lives.
