Arkansas State Police Recruiters have begun a search for qualified applicants who want to become State Troopers.

  Applicant testing to identify a pool of applicants for the recruit positions will begin in September and letters of conditional employment will be extended to qualified candidates later this year.  Recruiters are encouraging applicants to submit their medical assessment wavier and initial contact form now, but no later than August 31st.

  The department’s training staff is preparing its schedule and curriculum for a recruit class set to begin in January 2014.  An on-going budget analysis will ultimately dictate how many recruits will be hired.

  “Anyone who meets the minimum qualifications and desires a professional career with the Arkansas State Police is encouraged to apply,” said Colonel Stan Witt, Director of the Arkansas State Police.

  Minimum qualifications are:

• Minimum age of 21
• U.S. citizenship
• Valid drivers license
• High School graduate or equivalent
• Absent of felony convictions
• No misdemeanor conviction of domestic violence
• Meet or exceed visual acuity standard
• No visible tattoos (wearing an ASP uniform)
• Passing grade on initial screening exam
• Pass physical, psychological and polygraph examinations
• Registered with Selective Service or exempt

  Starting salary for State Police Recruits is $34,500 and raised to $36,000 upon graduation.  New Troopers receive two regularly scheduled raises of ten percent each during the first seven and a half years of service which increases the annual salary to $43,560.

  The recruiting process typically requires a pool of more than a thousand applicants to report for the initial physical assessment test and knowledge based test.

  Each applicant who passes the initial testing phase will then be required to submit to a thorough background investigation, polygraph examination and oral interviews.  

  “Not everyone will make it through the application process, said Colonel Witt.  “Our standards are high, the job is demanding, but the career rewards are worthwhile to a young trooper willing to devote twenty years to the department.”

  The State Police provides health care insurance for every State Trooper, their spouse and children as well as lifetime retirement benefits.

  Applicants can download the medical assessment waivers and initial contact forms at the Arkansas State Police web site http://www.asp.arkansas.gov

  No initial contact form will be considered without a medical assessment waiver from the applicant’s personal physician stating the applicant is sufficiently healthy to pass the physical assessment test.

  Applicants may also contact their nearest State Police Troop Headquarters or telephone the recruiting hotline at (800) 340-4255.

STRICT ENFORCEMENT OF DWI & SPEED LAWS PLANNED BY STATE AND LOCAL OFFICERS
OVER JULY 4th HOLIDAY TRAVEL PERIOD

  State, city and county law enforcement officers are reminding motorists to take the necessary safety precautions for the upcoming holiday travel period.

  The Fourth of July holiday weekend is one of the busiest travel periods for motorists as thousands of drivers head out on the roadways and interstate highways.

  Beginning June 28th and continuing through the following two weeks, officers will work to minimize the risk of fatalities by the strict enforcement of two of the most common traffic violations associated with fatal traffic crashes, driving while impaired and speeding.

  Sobriety checkpoints and speed patrols will be a top priority for law enforcement statewide.

  “Troopers will be aggressively enforcing the targeted laws during the upcoming holiday period,” said Colonel Stan Witt, Director of the Arkansas State Police and Governor’s Highway Safety Representative.  “Please drive safely, follow the speed limit and don’t drink and drive.”

  Drinking and driving is a deadly combination and law enforcement officials are stressing the importance of designating a sober driver and refusing to ride with anyone who has been drinking. 

  “Speeding greatly reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around another vehicle, a hazardous object or an unexpected curve.  Speeding and impaired drivers put themselves, their passengers and other drivers at tremendous risk,” says Colonel Witt.

  While death and injury are of course the most serious of possible consequences of drunk driving, there are other negative considerations that can affect lives for many years, including loss of a drivers license, vehicle impoundment, jail time, lawyer fees, court costs and insurance hikes, just to name a few.

  “All drivers should be on notice that a violation of these laws can be life changing.” said Colonel Witt.  “Remember, ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ and ‘Obey the Sign, or Pay the Fine’.”

  For more information, log onto www.TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8133.

  At approximately 4:35 PM this afternoon (Tuesday, July 2nd) Arkansas State Troopers were dispatched to what was reported as a highway crash scene involving multiple bicyclists along State Highway 17 two miles north of McCroy (Woodruff County).

  A group of thirteen cyclists had been traveling northbound when a car, also traveling northbound, struck seven cyclists at the rear of the bicycle group.

  Three cyclists were airlifted from the scene, transporting patients to Memphis and Little Rock.  Four other cyclists were transported to an area hospital by ground ambulance.  The driver of the car was not injured.

  The cyclists were on a cross country trip that had originated in Charleston, South Carolina.  The group’s destination was Santa Monica, California.

  The cross-country trip was organized by Overland Summer Camps of Williamstown, Massachusetts.

  State Troopers are continuing to investigate the crash tonight.  Additional information is expected to be available Wednesday morning. 
 

  Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division are investigating a shooting incident which occurred this morning in Rockport (Hot Spring County) involving a local police officer and a wanted fugitive.

  About 7:30 AM (Wednesday, July 3rd) Hot Spring County authorities responded a robbery call from the Wishbone Store along Highway 84 near Bismarck.

  A short time later, a Rockport police officer spotted a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle believed to have been driven by the robbery suspect.

  The pick-up truck was stopped by police on a Wal-Mart parking lot between Malvern and Rockport.  The driver was ordered to exit the vehicle.  The officer reported hearing a gun shot from inside the truck and returned gunfire toward the driver.

  Brandon Rennie Turner, 34, of Donaldson was pronounced dead at the scene.

  Turner was also wanted by Hot Springs Police in connection with an attempted capital murder and aggravated robbery.

  Turner’s body has been transported to the State Crime Laboratory for a determination and cause of death.

  An investigative file will be submitted to the prosecuting attorney for review.

  Any requests for information relating to the administrative status of the local law enforcement officer should be directed to the Rockport Police Department.

State Troopers assigned to Arkansas State Police Highway Patrol Division, Troop D are continuing to investigate a highway crash involving a motor vehicle which struck a group of thirteen bicyclists.

The collision occurred yesterday (Tuesday, July 2nd) about 4:35 PM, two miles north of McCroy (Woodruff County), along State Highway 17.

Seven of the cyclists were injured as the group traveled northbound and were struck from the rear by a car driven by Teagan Ross Martin, 21, of Newport.

Martin has been questioned by State Troopers who are continuing their investigation.  The investigation will continue into next week and will subsequently be submitted to the Woodruff County Prosecuting Attorney for consideration of any charges against Martin.

The cyclists, most of them teenagers, all from out-of-state, were traveling cross-country under the supervision of Summer Camps of Williamstown, Massachusetts.  The tour had begun in Charleston, South Carolina and was destined for Santa Monica, California.

The Arkansas State Police does not anticipate any further release of information until the investigation has been completed.
 

  The Arkansas State Police Commission has approved the recommendations for promotions of six State Police Troopers to the rank of major, captain and sergeant.  The recommendations were presented by Colonel Stan Witt, Director of the Arkansas State Police, and considered in a meeting of the commissioners today in Little Rock at State Police Administrative Headquarters.

  Captain Shawn Garner, 49, of Hot Springs, was promoted to the rank of major and will assume new duties in Little Rock within the administrative headquarters Highway Patrol Division.

  Major Garner is a twenty-three year veteran of the department.  His most recent assignment has been in Hot Springs as Highway Patrol Division, Troop K commander.

  Lieutenant Joel Mullins, 58, of North Little Rock, was promoted to the rank of captain and will continue in his assignment as commander of the State Police Executive Protection Section.

  Captain Mullins is a thirty-three year veteran of the State Police with almost half his career assigned to the executive protection detail.

  Corporal Michael Moyer, 38, of Springdale, was promoted to the rank of sergeant and will assume new duties in Little Rock within the administrative headquarters Regulatory and Building Operations Division.

  Sergeant Moyer is a ten year veteran of the department with his most recent assignment as a Special Agent within the State Police Criminal Investigation Division, Company D.

  Special Agent (Cpl.) Scott Pillow, 48, of Paragould, was promoted to the rank of sergeant and will continue in his assignment with the department’s Criminal Investigation Division, Company F.

  Agent Pillow (Sgt.) is an eighteen year veteran of the department.

  Special Agent (Cpl.) Dennis Morris, 54, of Arkadelphia, was promoted to the rank of sergeant and will continue in his assignment with the department’s Criminal Investigation Division, Company C.

  Agent Morris (Sgt.) is a twenty-four year veteran of the department.

  Special Agent (Cpl.) Shannon Shepherd, 47, of Sheridan, was promoted to the rank of sergeant and will assume new duties within the State Police Highway Patrol Division, Troop K as a post supervisor.

  Sergeant Shepherd is a twenty-three year veteran of the department with his most recent assignment as a Special Agent within the State Police Criminal Investigation Division, Company C.

  Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division and deputies of the Pike County Sheriff’s Department are continuing their investigation today into the murders of two women and a child.

  At 7:05 PM Saturday evening (July 13th), authorities received a 9-1-1 telephone call reporting a shooting incident at 3489 Highway 301, southwest of Delight (Pike County).

  Found dead at the scene were Dana Hill, 33, of 3489 Highway 301, Delight and Julie Hartsfield, 54, of 905 Walnut Street, Waldo (Columbia County).

  Autumn Hartsfield, 9, was wounded during the shooting incident and was transported from the scene to a Hot Springs hospital where she later died.

  Timothy Allen Hill, 43, also of 3489 Highway 301, Delight was taken into custody at the scene and is being held today in connection with the murders as the investigation continues.

  Initial findings during the investigation have caused agents and deputies to believe the shooting arose out of a domestic disturbance which may have preceded the gunfire.

  Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division arrested Kareame Cotton, Sr., 37, of Little Rock this afternoon in connection with the deaths of two individuals killed in a New Year’s Day motor vehicle crash along Interstate 30 near Scott Hamilton Road.

  Arrests warrants for Cotton were obtained by State Police charging Cotton with two counts of negligent homicide and third degree escape.

  Killed in the crash were David Harris, 64, and Maci Harris, 10, both of Little Rock.

  The escape charge stems from Cotton’s attempt to flee the motor vehicle crash scene after he was handcuffed by Highway Patrol State Troopers investigating the crash.

  Arkansas State Police Sergeant Mike Hagar, 40, of Conway, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant today.  The recommendation for promotion was presented to the State Police Commission by Colonel Stan Witt, State Police Director.

  Lieutenant Hagar is a seventeen year veteran of the department and most recently has been assigned to the State Police Training Section.

  Lieutenant Hagar will be assigned to the State Police Executive Protection Unit.

  (LITTLE ROCK) – As motorists take to the roads this Labor Day holiday, the Arkansas Highway Safety Office urges everyone to buckle up and drive sober. 

  The Arkansas State Police, other state, city and county law enforcement agencies will increase DWI and seat belt patrols beginning Friday, August 16th.  The additional patrols will continue through Labor Day, Monday September 2nd.

  The statewide crackdown effort against impaired drivers and seat belt law violators underscores the disproportionate number of traffic deaths involving alcohol and unbelted motorists.

  “We want everyone to have a safe holiday, but it requires important steps on the part of motorists – clicking that seat belt and driving sober,” said Colonel Stan Witt, Arkansas State Police Director and Governor’s Highway Safety Representative.  “Safety is a primary concern, not just for drivers, but also passengers and others on the road.”

  Law enforcement officers across Arkansas recommend that anyone who plans to consume alcohol make alternative transportation plans, such as designating a sober driver or calling a friend.

  Colonel Witt also stressed the importance of wearing a seat belt as your best defense against a drunk driver.  “Our Troopers are prepared to arrest drunk drivers and ticket those not wearing a seat belt.”

  There were 549 traffic fatalities on Arkansas roadways during 2011.  Twenty-eight percent (or 156) of those fatalities involved a driver or motorcycle operator with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.

  An additional area of concern is motor vehicle occupant protection.  During 2011 there were 220 unrestrained passenger vehicle occupant fatalities.   

  “Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, but far too many motorists still are not buckling up,” Colonel Witt said.  “With a seat belt use rate of almost 72 percent, Arkansas lags far behind the national average of 86 percent.”

  Law enforcement officers will be working overtime during the holiday period which typically experiences an increase in motor vehicle traffic.  It will be the goal of the officers to save lives by exercising strict enforcement of the Arkansas seat belt and impaired driving laws.

  The law enforcement crackdown is funded by federal traffic safety funds through the Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office and it runs concurrently with a media campaign that will remind motorists, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket.”
 
  For more information, log onto TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136.

  (LITTLE ROCK) - The Arkansas State Police has deployed new enforcement tools designed to help State Troopers succeed in their mission to make Arkansas highways safer.

  Twenty-four low profile patrol cars were assigned today to the State Police Highway Patrol Division.  Each of the twelve State Police Troops received two of the unconventional patrol cars to be used along with the conventional patrol units already assigned to the State Police fleet.

  The new cars are of different colors, equipped the same as a conventional patrol car, but absent of a roof-mounted bar light and marked only on the passenger’s side with the familiar State Police star and blue stripe.

  “Low profile patrol cars are not what a driver might normally recognize as a State Police vehicle,” said Colonel Stan Witt, Director of the Arkansas State Police.  “Rather than the standard white car body with a blue emergency light on the roof, motorists may notice different colored cars with emergency lighting fitted under the brim of the front windshield.”

  The intention in the choice of color, removing the exterior emergency lighting and markings on one side make the cars better suited for blending into traffic, allowing State Troopers a better opportunity to witness more violations.

  “Experience has demonstrated that flagrant violators typically are scanning traffic looking for the common markings of an Arkansas State Police patrol car,” said Major J.R. Hankins, commander of the Highway Patrol Division (western region).  “Simply stated, we’re trying to change what a violator might be looking for and be in a better position to document the violation before initiating the traffic stop.”

  Using low profile patrol cars is nothing new for the State Police.  During 1999 and 2000 the department purchased Chevrolet Camaros and Impalas in a small scale deployment of low profile patrol cars.

  The latest vehicles to be deployed represent the largest fleet of low profile patrol cars the Arkansas State Police has ever had in use at any single time.

  A Highway Safety grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was used to purchase the newest cars along with the speed detection radars, emergency lighting and law enforcement communications equipment installed inside the vehicles.

  “The public expects a lot from our Troopers who are suppose to stop violators who endanger themselves and others traveling along the state highways,” said Major Shawn Garner, commander of the Highway Patrol Division (eastern region).  “It only makes sense that we give them the right tools to do the job.”

  Particular caution will be used by Troopers using the low profile patrol vehicles on divided highways.

  Whenever safely possible while traveling along a divided highway, a Trooper will move into a position allowing the violator to get a better view of the Trooper and see the right-side markings of the patrol car.  The Trooper will then fall back behind the violator to initiate the traffic stop with a blue emergency light across the top interior of the front windshield.

  Reasonable consideration will be given to drivers who may be uncertain whether the traffic stop is being executed by a legitimate law enforcement vehicle.  These drivers may proceed at a posted speed to the nearest safe location before stopping.

  Tony Perry, an Arkansas parolee and fugitive wanted by law enforcement was taken into custody last night (Thursday, August 15th) by Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division and U.S. Marshals.

  State Police Special Agents have been working closely with federal authorities as well as Little Rock and North Little Rock Police this week in a unified search for Perry.

  Agents arrested Perry Thursday night at approximately 8:15 PM.  The arrest occurred at 1216 Franks Street in North Little Rock.

  No one living at the North Little Rock address where Perry was arrested is suspected of aiding Perry evade arrest.

  Throughout the week State Police have arrested five individuals suspected of aiding Perry with information or transportation while he was hiding from law enforcement officers.

  Those arrested were, Argie Jackson, 47, charged with hindering apprehension, Wendell Meeks, 46, hindering apprehension, Keith Thomas, 30, parole violation, Jonathan Smith, 28, outstanding warrant for hot checks and Jamikka Perry, 30, also wanted on hot check warrants.

(LITTLE ROCK) - Veteran State Police Highway Patrol Captain Mike Foster, 53, of Harrison has been promoted to the rank of major and will assume new duties as a Highway Patrol Division commander.

  The promotion was one of six recommended by Colonel Stan Witt, Director of the Arkansas State Police.  The promotions were approved by the Arkansas State Police Commission during a meeting today.

  Major Foster has served as an Arkansas State Trooper for twenty-three years and most recently has been assigned as Troop Commander at State Police Highway Patrol, Troop I with headquarters at Harrison.

  A listing of other promotions approved by the commission includes:

  Sergeant Darran Austin, 36, of Dardanelle, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

  Lieutenant Austin is a nine year veteran of the department and most recently has been assigned as a post supervisor in Highway Patrol Division, Troop J (Clarksville).  Austin will assume new duties as assistant commander of Highway Patrol, Troop A (Little Rock).

  Sergeant John Carter, 50, of Brookland (Craighead County), was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

  Lieutenant Carter is a twenty-three year veteran of the department and most recently has been assigned to the department’s Criminal Investigation Division, Company F (Jonesboro).  Carter will assume new duties as Highway Patrol Division, Troop B (Newport) assistant commander.

  Sergeant David Sims, 53, of Pine Bluff, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

  Lieutenant Sims is a twenty-three year veteran of the department and most recently has been assigned as a post supervisor to the department’s Highway Patrol Division, Troop E (Pine Bluff).  Sims will remain assigned to Troop E, however his new duties will be as assistant troop commander.

  Sergeant Stacie Rhoads, 44, of Atkins, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

  Lieutenant Rhoads is a fifteen year veteran of the department most recently assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division, Company E (Harrison).  Rhoads will assume new duties a commander of CID, Company A (Little Rock).

  Corporal Michael Exum, 37, of Paragould, was promoted to the rank of sergeant.

  Sergeant Exum is a thirteen year veteran of the department and has most recently been assigned to the Highway Patrol Division, Troop C (Jonesboro).  Exum will assume new duties as a post supervisor in Troop B (Newport).

At approximately 8 PM Monday (September 16th), local law enforcement personnel responded to a call for help from residents in a sub-division off State Highway 367 north of Judsonia (White County).  The initial call reported a man who lived in the area making threats to neighbors.

  Upon arrival in the neighborhood, a Judsonia Police Officer attempted to make contact with Charles Adrien Martin, 40, of 117 Meadowview Circle who had been the subject of the complaint.

  Unable to make contact with Martin, the local officer drove to a nearby house along the same street.  While talking to the resident, Martin exited his home and fired a gun at the police officer.

  As additional law enforcement officers arrived on the scene, Martin refused to come outside his house and meet with police officers and sheriff’s deputies.

  Local authorities contacted the Arkansas State Police for assistance and shortly after 10 PM the department’s SWAT team was outside Martin’s home.

  Late into the evening more attempts to establish communication with Martin went unanswered.

  At approximately 1 AM today (September 17th) a State Police robot was able to approach Martin’s residence and gain entry at the front door.

  Minutes later Martin opened fire on the robot, disabling the device, then directed gunfire toward the State Police SWAT team that had taken cover behind a State Police armored truck situated at the front of Martin’s home.

  State Troopers assigned to the SWAT team returned fire, wounding Martin who was later pronounced dead at a White County hospital.

  The incident is under review by the State Police Office of Professional Standards.

  Special Agents of the State Police Criminal Investigation Division are investigating the shooting and will submit an investigative file to the White County Prosecuting Attorney for purposes of determining if the use of deadly force by law enforcement officers in this incident was consistent with applicable state law.

  (LITTLE ROCK) – Two veteran Arkansas State Troopers have been given assignments to assume new duties as Highway Patrol Troop Commanders.  The assignments were made by Colonel Stan Witt, Director of the Arkansas State Police and recommendations for promotions by Colonel Witt were approved today by the Arkansas State Police Commission.

  Captain Mark Allen, 56, of Little Rock, was approved for a lateral transfer to assume command of Highway Patrol Troop K at Hot Springs.  Captain Allen is a thirty-two year veteran of the department and most recently has been assigned to the Highway Patrol administrative headquarters office.

  Lieutenant Alex Finger, 54, of Little Rock, was promoted to the rank of captain and accepted the command of Highway Patrol Troop A.

  Captain Finger is a twenty-nine year veteran of the State Police and most recently was assigned as Troop A assistant commander.

  Sergeant Scott Woodward, 52, of Monticello was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and will serve as commander of the State Police Criminal Investigation Division, Company B headquartered at Pine Bluff.

  Lieutenant Woodward is an eighteen year veteran of the department and most recently was assigned as a CID special agent supervisor in Drew County.

  Sergeant Kimberly Fontaine, 48, of Star City, has accepted a reassignment within Highway Patrol Troop E to post supervisor duties in Jefferson County.

  Sergeant Fontaine is a twenty-two year veteran of the department.

  Special Agent (corporal) Noah Shaw, 42, of Melbourne, was promoted to the rank of sergeant and will assume new duties as special agent supervisor in the  Criminal Investigation Division, Company E headquartered at Harrison.

  Special Agent (sergeant) Shaw most recently has worked as a special agent in Izard County and surrounding areas.

  Corporal Gregory Smith, 42, of Little Rock, was promoted to the rank of sergeant and will be assigned to Highway Patrol, Troop J post supervisor duties.

  Sergeant Smith is an eleven year veteran of the Arkansas State Police.
 

Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division have been requested by Trumann Police to conduct an investigation of an officer involved shooting incident that occurred yesterday (October 22, 2013).

Local police had attempted to arrest Jacob Ashton Brown, 21, based on a felony warrant and a parole violation warrant.

Brown reportedly fled from local officers and subsequently during the search pointed a gun in the direction of an officer who fired his service weapon and wounded Brown.

Inquiries relating to the identity and administrative status of the local police officer may be directed to the Trumann Police Department.

Upon completion of the investigation, State Police Special Agents will present the case file to the prosecuting attorney who will determine whether the use of deadly force was consistent with Arkansas statutes.

(LITTLE ROCK) – State Police Lieutenant Wesley Smithee, 42 of Harrison, has been promoted to the rank of captain and will assume new duties as commander of State Police Highway Patrol Division, Troop I headquartered at Harrison.

Captain Smithee, an eighteen year veteran of the department, has served most recently as assistant commander of Troop I.

Captain Smithee was among six Arkansas State Troopers recommended for promotions today during a regular monthly meeting of the State Police Commission.  The recommendations were presented to commissioners by Colonel Stan Witt, Director of the Arkansas State Police.

Sergeant David Moore, 49, of Marion, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and will assume new duties as assistant troop commander of Highway Patrol Division, Troop D headquartered at Forrest City.

Lieutenant Moore is an eighteen year veteran of the department and most recently has been assigned as a Troop D post supervisor.

Sergeant Charles Watson, 51, of Monticello, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and will assume new duties as assistant troop commander of Highway Patrol Division, Troop F headquartered at Warren.

Lieutenant Watson is a twenty-five year veteran of the department and most recently has been assigned as a Troop F post supervisor.

Corporal Brad Spurlin, 37, of White Hall, was promoted to the rank of sergeant and will assume new duties as a Highway Patrol post supervisor assigned to Troop E headquartered at Pine Bluff.

Sergeant Spurlin is a thirteen year veteran of the department and most recently has been assigned to patrol duties in Troop E.

Corporal Roby Rhoads, 44, of Atkins, was promoted to the rank of sergeant and will assume new duties within the training section of the State Police Administrative Services Division.

Sergeant Rhoads is a fifteen year veteran of the department and most recently has been assigned to the department’s Highway Patrol Division as K9 coordinator.

Corporal Ramey Lovan, 37, of Paragould, was promoted to the rank of sergeant and will assume new duties as a Criminal Investigation Division, supervisor assigned to Company F headquartered at Jonesboro.

Sergeant Lovan is a fifteen year veteran of the department and most recently has been assigned as a CID Special Agent in Greene County.

Additional Information Contact:
ASP Highway Safety Office – Ann Whitehead
(501) 618-8133 – ann.whitehead@asp.arkansas.gov

(LITTLE ROCK) – Arkansas State Troopers are joining forces with other state and local law enforcement officers during the Thanksgiving holiday season in a crack-down on seat belt law violations.

The Thanksgiving holiday is typically one of the busiest travel periods, both in Arkansas and across the nation.

Traffic crash statistics from 2011, which represent the latest data set currently available, indicate there were 249 passenger vehicle occupant deaths nationally during the Thanksgiving reporting period.  Fifty percent of those killed were not wearing seat belts.  In Arkansas, during the holiday reporting period, three people lost their lives and 241 people were seriously injured.
  
“You will see our State Troopers out in force beginning November 25, and we’ll be showing zero tolerance for anyone who is not wearing a seat belt,” said Colonel Stan Witt, Director of the Arkansas State Police and Governor’s Highway Safety Representative.  “Our goal is simple.  We’ll strictly enforce the law in order to save more lives.  If you are caught not wearing your seat belt, you can expect to be ticketed.”
An intensified enforcement emphasis will be noticed along Interstate 40 during the most heavily traveled hours of the Thanksgiving holiday.
“The Arkansas State Police will partner with several other states including Tennessee, Oklahoma and Texas in an additional enforcement effort designed to protect motorists along the I-40 corridor,” Colonel Witt remarked.  Each state plans to assign a trooper to every 20 mile segment of Interstate 40 during peak traffic hours.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belts saved almost 12,000 lives nationwide in 2011. 

Research indicates that with proper seat belt use, the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers is reduced by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent.

Despite the law that requires the use of seat belts and the proven safety benefits, too many people are failing to get the message.  In 2011, 52 percent of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in motor vehicle crashes did not wear seat belts at the time of the crash.

“Buckling up is a proven life saver, but it’s often forgotten during rush of holiday travel,” said Colonel Witt. “Whether you’re driving across the country or just across town, buckling up is one of the best ways to ensure that you arrive safely at your destination. Unfortunately, it sometimes takes a traffic ticket to get people to pay attention to this very simple message.”

The Arkansas State Police encourage motorists to practice safe driving habits year round beginning with buckling up before leaving the driveway. 

For more information about the Thanksgiving “Click It or Ticket” campaign, visit www.TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136.
 

  (LITTLE ROCK) - State Troopers across Arkansas have spent most of last night and today assisting motorists who have been victims of snow or ice covered highways.

  Most of the motor vehicle crashes involved simple single-vehicle “slide-offs” as drivers lost control and slid into highway ditches or medians.

  One Arkansas State Trooper was injured about 9 AM today when his patrol car was struck from the rear along the eastbound lanes of I-40 near the White River.

  Corporal Damon Dobson, 37, of Monroe County, was transported to a Stuttgart hospital for examination.  Corporal Dobson’s injuries were not believed to be life threatening.

  Corporal Dobson had been investigating a motor vehicle crash and was inside his patrol car when a pick-up truck struck the State Police patrol car.

  Several stretches of Arkansas Interstates 40 and 55 were frequent scenes of jack-knifed 18-wheelers which involved State Troopers temporarily blocking portions of the highway while recovery crews worked to clear the highways.  Large commercial carrier trucks were also stalled along U.S. 65 in Searcy County and Highway 7 in Newton County.

  Troopers have also been assisting local police and sheriff’s departments, particularly in areas impacted by electric power outages.

  Some of the busiest State Police Troops involved personnel assigned to Troop K, headquartered at Hot Springs, Troop H, headquartered at Fort Smith, Troop L, headquartered at Springdale and Troop I, headquartered at Harrison.

  Highway conditions across Arkansas are expected to worsen overnight as the result of colder weather expected to sweep across the state.  Unless it is absolutely necessary or an emergency, highway travel across much of the state is not recommended.

  State Police Troop radio and telephone dispatchers request citizens limit their calls to emergency calls only.  Statewide information with the latest highway and road conditions can be obtained by calling (800) 245-1672 or viewing the State Highway & Transportation Department map website at IDriveArkansas.com

  An individual believed to be wanted in connection with an Alabama homicide investigation died this afternoon (Sunday, December 8, 2013) of what is preliminarily believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  The shooting incident came at the end of a pursuit that covered parts of two counties along Interstate 40 in west Arkansas.

  About 12:50 PM, a State Trooper near Clarksville spotted a vehicle which matched the description believed to be occupied by the Alabama fugitive.

  As the vehicle approached Ozark in Franklin County, the Trooper initiated a traffic stop.  As the vehicle began to pull off the highway and stop, a female driver fled from the car on foot.  As the Trooper began to run toward the driver, the male fugitive who had been hiding in the car took control of the vehicle and fled the scene back onto I-40 westbound.

  Shortly after 1 PM State Troopers from Troop H out of Fort Smith who had begun to search for the suspect vehicle along I-40 came into contact with the car.  A short pursuit was initiated before the suspect was stopped.

  Troopers who approached the car found the driver dead.

  The incident is under internal review and the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division will conduct an investigation that will be turned-over to local prosecuting attorneys.

  The names of the dead fugitive and female accomplice who was taken into custody in Franklin County are being withheld at this time.  Additional information will be released as the investigation progresses and next of kin are notified.