Police chase spans county

A cross-county chase ended in a crash Monday after involving three police departments and the Faulkner County Sheriff's Office.

Major Andy Shock of the sheriff's office said Clyde Johnson, 34, of McRae was arrested after fleeing from police through several towns and having a vehicle accident at Wooster.

Shock said it all began south of Enola on Highway 107, where a man reported Johnson was tailgating him. The alleged victim reported he pulled over to the right, allowing Johnson to pass by, but once Johnson was in front, he began "brake checking."

The victim stopped at Wooley's Grocery in Enola to call the sheriff's office, Shock said, and when he came back outside, Johnson was reportedly sitting in the victim's car. The two had a verbal altercation, and then Johnson left in his own vehicle, Shock said.

Johnson drove to Greenbrier where he caused a traffic accident, Shock reported, and Greenbrier officers pursued him north on Highway 65. He turned west onto Solomon Grove Road and continued to Highway 285 North, where he turned south toward Bono, Shady Grove and Wooster, Shock said.

.story-ad {

width: 310px;

float: left;

margin: 0 10px 10px 0;

padding: 4px;

}

- Advertisement -

OAS_AD('x22');

"According to a deputy, he was brake checking officers and trying to hit them," Shock said.

On Highway 65, the chase reached speeds of 85 miles per hour, but on Solomon Grove Road and Highway 285 North, speeds did not go above 55, he said.

"He would slow to try to ram police cars," he added.

Greenbrier, Damascus and Guy Police Departments all became involved in the pursuit, Shock said.

Once Johnson reached the four-way stop at Wooster, he attempted to turn east toward Greenbrier and had a vehicle accident, Shock said. Officers took him into custody.

Shock added the sheriff's office would not charge Johnson, but the Greenbrier Police Department would.

Greenbrier Police Chief Gene Earnhart said about 7:45 p.m. that Johnson had been taken to the hospital because of injuries, and not all the charges had been decided on yet. He said Johnson would be charged with a hit and run, leaving the scene of an accident and felony fleeing.

Shock said as for the incident with the alleged victim on Highway 107, "we will review and submit (the information) to the prosecuting attorney's office."