Arkansas State Police vs. Camry - High Speed pursuit ends w/ 120 MPH PIT Maneuver into cables #chase

Note: Drug mules will often have a secondary vehicle with them to run interference. The report says the Camry was a rental and carrying lots of narcotics. It is highly likely the black Audi was this suspect's secondary vehicle, BUT IT FAILED. Report: On July 22, 2026, I, Trooper Thomas, was stationary on Interstate 40 near the 284-mile marker conducting traffic enforcement. I observed a white Toyota Camry traveling westbound in the center lane of Interstate 40. I also observed a black Audi traveling behind the Toyota. The Toyota began to merge into the left lane while traveling at a slow rate of speed, causing other vehicles traveling at interstate speeds to merge into the center lane to continue around it. I closed the distance on the Toyota and observed it return to the center lane. Based on the vehicle's continuous travel in the left lane and the inability to obtain a return on the license plate, I initiated a traffic stop. I activated my emergency lights, and the Toyota signaled to the right as if it was going to pull onto the shoulder. After the Toyota signaled, I merged into the right lane to prevent traffic from interfering with the traffic stop. Instead of stopping, the Toyota rapidly accelerated from approximately 65 MPH to over 100 MPH, reaching speeds near 120 MPH in the posted 65 MPH zone. As the Toyota accelerated, the black Audi in the left lane attempted to merge directly in front of my patrol vehicle, forcing me to swerve into the right lane to avoid a collision. I accelerated in an attempt to close the distance. During the pursuit, the Toyota continuously weaved between lanes in an apparent attempt to prevent me from getting close enough to perform a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI). While following the vehicle, I observed the driver through the driver's side mirror smiling, laughing, and waving at me. At one point, the driver was able to flip me off. The driver showed a complete disregard for the safety of other motorists by weaving in and out of traffic at high speeds. The Toyota made several dangerous lane changes during the pursuit. At one point, it crossed from the right lane to the left lane, nearly striking a semi-truck. The vehicle later straddled the lane divider between the left and center lanes, nearly colliding with a pickup truck traveling in the left lane. The Toyota continued westbound on Interstate 40 before taking the Interstate 40/Interstate 55 split and proceeding northbound on Interstate 55. After the Toyota passed the traffic ahead of it, I performed a TVI near the 9-mile marker. The maneuver was unsuccessful, and the Toyota continued northbound. As the pursuit approached Exit 10 near Marion, I observed a significant amount of traffic and numerous people at the nearby gas station. Due to the danger the fleeing vehicle posed to the public, I performed a second TVI. The second maneuver was successful, causing the Toyota to leave the roadway and come to a stop in the ditch on the right side of Interstate 55. After the vehicle came to rest, the driver exited the Toyota and fled on foot westbound toward a residential area. I exited my patrol vehicle and pursued the suspect on foot. With the assistance of the West Memphis Police Department, the suspect was apprehended and taken into custody without further incident. The driver was identified as Phillip Johnson. Vehicle Information- 2026 Toyota Camry Owner Information- Enterprise Rental Damage Estimate- $25,000.00 Phillip Johnson Charges- 27-51-301= Impeding Traffic- Driving continuously in left lane 27-14-306= Fictitious Tags 27-22-104= No Liability Insurance 5-54-125(d)(5)(C)= Fleeing-Felony-Vehicle or Conveyance-Serious Physical Injury 27-50-308(b)(1)(B) =1st: Reckless Driving- 1st 5-54-125(c)= Fleeing- On Foot 5-64-419(b)(2)(A)= Possess Controlled Substance Sched I,II Excluding Meth Cocaine 2G 5-64-419(b)(5)(B)= Possess Controlled Substance Sched VI= 1 Oz 4 Oz 5-64-443(a)(1)= Possess Drug Paraphernalia 5-64-436(b)(2)= Possess W Purpose Del Controlled Substance VI 14g 4 Oz 5-64-424(b)(1)= Possess W Purpose Del Controlled Substance I,II Excluding Meth Cocaine 2g 27-16-303= Driving on Suspended License