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On 03/24/2025 at approximately 2022 hours, I, Trooper Bluford observed a gray Buick SUV traveling straight through an
intersection when it abruptly turned left onto the entrance ramp to I40 from the middle lane of State Highway 161.
While traveling on Interstate 40 westbound at mile marker 156, I activated my lights while taking the Springhill exit attempting a
traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Steven Franklin, took the exit and accelerated while driving into
oncoming traffic.

Steven then began fleeing on Springhill Drive, reaching speeds upward of 80 mph in a 40MPH zone. I then activated my sirens
and gave chase. Steven then continued through McCain Blvd to Highway 161, running several red lights and traveling into
oncoming traffic.

After traveling southbound on Highway 161 Steven, then got on to Interstate 40 eastbound with speeds reaching 125mph.
Steven then took exit 159 merging onto Interstate 440 westbound. While traveling on Interstate 440 a Tactical Vehicle
Intervention was attempted to end the pursuit near mile marker 8 with negative results. Steven continued changing lanes,
cutting in front of my patrol vehicle as I attempted to set up for a Tactical Vehicle Intervention several times. Steven took exit 8
and failed to stop for a stop sign getting back on to Interstate 440 westbound with speeds upward of 100mph. Steven then
continued fleeing on Interstate 440 west before taking exit 5 and traveling northbound on Fourche Dam Pike. Shortly after
turning on Fourche Dam Pike, Steven fled south on Richland Drive, then eastbound on to Pecan Lane. Steven then made one
last turn onto Loma Drive which was a dead-end road. Steven opened the door while the vehicle was still moving with both feet
out of the vehicle, as he was preparing to flee on foot. Steven then jumped out of the vehicle, which led to the vehicle striking a
tree and coming to a stop. When the vehicle came to a stop I placed the front passenger side of my patrol vehicle into the rear
driver side of the suspect vehicle pinning the vehicle to the tree. Pinning the vehicle caused minor damage to the front
passenger side of my patrol vehicle and minor damage to the rear driver side of the suspect vehicle. Steven then fled on foot,
and I gave chase, running south from Loma Drive into the wood line.

Other units arrived on scene, and a perimeter was set as we searched for Steven. During the initial search, Steven was unable
to be located. During the vehicle inventory, a five-month-old child was found on the rear passenger side floor. The child was
facedown with a car seat on top of the child, in which the child was not secure. The child was transported to Arkansas
Children’s Hospital by MEMS. The Saline County Department of Children and Family Services later took custody of the child
and the Arkansas Crimes Against Children Hotline was notified.

Also located in the vehicle during the search was a black Palmetto State Armory, PA-15 (SN: SCD610328) found on the
driver’s side floorboard of the vehicle. In the glove compartment of the vehicle, there were two individually packaged bags of
suspected Marijuana along with a scale. Also found in the center console of the vehicle were eight more individual packages of
suspected Marijuana gummies totaling 362grams of suspected Marijuana.

Steven’s mother, Latoya Greene came to the scene where the pursuit ended. Ms. Latoya stated she was on an active call with
Steven during the pursuit. Ms. Latoya stated that Steven called her as he was getting pulled over and asked her if he should
stop. Ms. Latoya stated that vehicle belonged to Steven’s girlfriend who is currently incarcerated and that he was the last one
driving the vehicle.

After finishing the search and leaving the scene, approximately two hours later Steven was located by North
Little Rock Police Department in the area of Highway 161 and East Bethany. I responded to the area and Steven was then
taken into custody. Steven appeared to be covered in grass and exhausted.
Steven was read his Miranda rights, and he chose not to answer any questions. Steven was then transported to PCDF without
incident and charged accordingly.

Charges:

5-54-125(d)(3) 2023: FLEEING - FELONY - VEHICLE OR CONVEYANCE - SUBSTANTIAL DANGER OF DEATH
5-54-125(c): FLEEING - ON FOOT
5-27-205: ENDANGER WELFARE MINOR - 1ST DEGREE
5-74-106: DRUGS AND FIREARMS, SIMULTANEOUS POS
27-51-104(b)(1): IMPROPER OR UNSAFE LANE CHANGE
5-64-436(b)(3): POSSESS W PURPOSE DEL CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE SCHED VI = 4 OZ - 25 LBS
27-34-104: NO CHILD PASSENGER RESTRAINT

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Danger Zone