Man smokes "BAD WEED" - Flees Arkansas State Police and causes multiple accidents ending pursuit

Report: On April 24, 2026, I, Trooper Nash Thomas, was advised by Troop C Communications that the Brookland Police Department was in pursuit of a vehicle and requested assistance. Brookland Police later terminated the pursuit but maintained visual contact with the suspect vehicle as it traveled southbound on Kathleen Street toward Highway 18. I positioned my patrol unit stationary in a driveway near Kathleen Street and Samantha Avenue. Shortly thereafter, I observed the suspect vehicle—a 2005 gold Chevrolet pickup bearing Arkansas license plate AZJ11R—traveling southbound toward Highway 18. I pulled out behind the vehicle and activated my emergency lights in an attempt to initiate a traffic stop. The suspect vehicle immediately accelerated, entered the northbound lane while continuing southbound, and approached the intersection of Kathleen Street and Highway 18. The vehicle then turned east onto the westbound shoulder of Highway 18, traveling at approximately 65 mph. Multiple vehicles were forced to take evasive action to avoid a head-on collision. After traveling approximately one-half mile on the wrong side of the roadway, the suspect vehicle crossed the westbound lanes and entered the continuous center turn lane. I attempted to position my unit for a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI), but was unable to do so due to traffic conditions and the suspect actively evading contact. The pursuit continued eastbound on Highway 18, with speeds reaching approximately 100 mph in a posted 55 mph zone. As we approached the curve near Easley Lane, a civilian vehicle entered the center turn lane in an apparent attempt to yield to my emergency lights. The suspect vehicle attempted to pass this vehicle and swerved right to avoid oncoming traffic. During this maneuver, the suspect vehicle struck the rear of the civilian vehicle at approximately 80 mph. The impact caused the struck vehicle to rotate counterclockwise, slide across the westbound lanes, and collide with another civilian vehicle. Both civilian vehicles were forced off the roadway. The suspect vehicle continued for approximately 50–60 yards before coming to a stop due to disabling damage. The driver, later identified as Chase M. Phillips, was taken into custody without incident. Mr. Phillips made multiple unsolicited statements indicating he had smoked “bad weed.” I transported Mr. Phillips to St. Bernards Regional Medical Center for medical clearance. While at the hospital, a search warrant for a blood sample was obtained and signed by Judge David Boling. The warrant was executed at approximately 3:45 PM. After being medically cleared, Mr. Phillips was transported to the Craighead County Detention Center and turned over to jail staff. A separate crash report (202606837ASP) was completed. Four individuals were transported by ambulance to local hospitals for evaluation and treatment of injuries. Charges: Felony Fleeing in a Vehicle – Substantial Danger of Death (5-54-125(d)(3)) Battery 2nd Degree (5-13-202) DWI – Drugs 1st (5-65-103) Reckless Driving (27-50-308) Speeding More Than 15 MPH Over Limit (27-50-302(a)(7)) No Driver’s License (27-16-602) No Liability Insurance (27-22-104) Possession of Schedule VI Less Than 4 oz (5-64-419)