Out on parole, California man flees Arkansas State Police - Strike hospital sign and flips #pursuit

Report: While traveling eastbound on U.S. Highway 64 near North 18th Street in Van Buren, I Sergeant Tyler Nelson, observed a gold Jeep Commander traveling westbound. I noticed the driver was not wearing a seatbelt. I turned around, caught up to the vehicle, and attempted to initiate a traffic stop on North 15th Street. After activating my emergency lights, the driver accelerated and fled eastbound on Cherry Street. I notified Troop H Communications that I was in active pursuit of the suspect vehicle. The vehicle displayed Mississippi license plate MBH281. During the pursuit, the suspect failed to stop at multiple intersections and continued driving recklessly. The vehicle traveled southbound on North 20th Street before turning westbound onto U.S. Highway 64. The suspect then veered off the left side of the roadway and struck a utility pole. Following the collision, the vehicle rolled onto its side and came to final rest. Responding Troopers arrived on scene, and we were able to remove the driver through the vehicle’s sunroof. The driver was identified as John Fletcher, of California. Larry's towing service took possession of the suspect vehicle. Fletcher was transported to Mercy Hospital Fort Smith to be checked for injuries and was later transported to the Crawford County Detention Center where he was turned over to the on-duty staff. On July 7, 2026, Officer Branden Blount of the Van Buren Police Department notified me that an additional damage was discovered from the vehicle pursuit. A rail that was welded to a walking bridge at 23 North 20th Street was destroyed, a piece of quarter panel trim to the suspect vehicle was located in that area. Both the utility pole and walking bridge rail belong to the City of Van Buren, their street department was notified of the damage. Charges: 5-54-125(d)(3) 2023: FLEEING - FELONY - VEHICLE OR CONVEYANCE - SUBSTANTIAL DANGER OF DEATH 5-38-203(b)(2): CRIMINAL MISCHIEF - 1ST DEGREE (DAMAGE $1,000 - $5,000) 27-50-308(b)(1)(B) 1ST: RECKLESS DRIVING - 1ST 27-51-201, 27-50-302(7): SPEEDING - MORE THAN 15 MPH OVER LIMIT 27-16-303: DRIVING ON SUSPENDED LICENSE 27-22-104: NO LIABILITY INSURANCE 27-51-401: IMPROPER TURN AT INTERSECTION 27-51-601: FAIL TO STOP OR YIELD 27-37-702: NO SEATBELT Held on $100,000 bond and for California board of parole