Update: Little Rock Chase Suspect Hospitalized
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: February 7, 2013
Update (12:50 p.m.):
Little Rock Police say the man who led officers on a chase that ended in the Arkansas River at Murray Park will remain in the hospital for the next few days.
The 39-year-old from Paragould was driving the 2011 Chevrolet Impala sedan that ended up driving on the Rebsamen Park Golf Course, then into the water early this morning.
The incident report noted at least $100 in damage was done to the golf course.
The man, who police said told them he wanted to kill himself, was ordered held by doctors who evaluated him after the incident.
According to the police report, here's what happened:
Officers on patrol at Rebsamen Park saw a car driving in circles around the park. They flipped on their flashing lights to try and talk to the driver, but he sped off.
A chase began from in the parking lot of the park and the officers flipped on their siren but the driver still refused to stop.
The pursuit, which dropped to 20 mph a times, continued on to a nearby dog park, where police say the vehicle was driven in circles again.
After police turned off their flashing lights and siren, the suspect sped off, driving through some woods and back onto Rebsamen Park Road. At that point, other officers joined the chase and set up spike strips. After the driver went over the strips, he drove onto the golf course despite a flat front tire. He was going so fast, police say officers lost sight of him a few times. Officers spotted the car again just as it drove off a cliff and into the water.
Several officers jumped in to rescue the man from his sinking car. One officer was able to reach him and guide him to the north side of the riverbank. Both were brought out of the water by a fire department boat.
After being treated at the hospital, doctors ordered him for the next three days for his own safety.
No officers were hurt in the chase, which police say lasted 21 minutes.
Original story (7:00 a.m.):
Little Rock firefighters sent water rescuers the Arkansas River to get a police officer and a driver involved in a chase.
Little Rock Fire spokesman Captain Randy Hickmon says police chased a driver on Rebsamen Park Road.
The driver got onto the golf course and then drove into the Arkansas River at the Murray Park dock. He then swam onto an island.
That police officer swam out to get him and eventually arrested him.
Hickmon says the man and police officer are doing fine.
It's not known why the chase started or the charges the driver will face.
Little Rock Police say the man who led officers on a chase that ended in the Arkansas River at Murray Park will remain in the hospital for the next few days.
The 39-year-old from Paragould was driving the 2011 Chevrolet Impala sedan that ended up driving on the Rebsamen Park Golf Course, then into the water early this morning.
The incident report noted at least $100 in damage was done to the golf course.
The man, who police said told them he wanted to kill himself, was ordered held by doctors who evaluated him after the incident.
According to the police report, here's what happened:
Officers on patrol at Rebsamen Park saw a car driving in circles around the park. They flipped on their flashing lights to try and talk to the driver, but he sped off.
A chase began from in the parking lot of the park and the officers flipped on their siren but the driver still refused to stop.
The pursuit, which dropped to 20 mph a times, continued on to a nearby dog park, where police say the vehicle was driven in circles again.
After police turned off their flashing lights and siren, the suspect sped off, driving through some woods and back onto Rebsamen Park Road. At that point, other officers joined the chase and set up spike strips. After the driver went over the strips, he drove onto the golf course despite a flat front tire. He was going so fast, police say officers lost sight of him a few times. Officers spotted the car again just as it drove off a cliff and into the water.
Several officers jumped in to rescue the man from his sinking car. One officer was able to reach him and guide him to the north side of the riverbank. Both were brought out of the water by a fire department boat.
After being treated at the hospital, doctors ordered him for the next three days for his own safety.
No officers were hurt in the chase, which police say lasted 21 minutes.
Original story (7:00 a.m.):
Little Rock firefighters sent water rescuers the Arkansas River to get a police officer and a driver involved in a chase.
Little Rock Fire spokesman Captain Randy Hickmon says police chased a driver on Rebsamen Park Road.
The driver got onto the golf course and then drove into the Arkansas River at the Murray Park dock. He then swam onto an island.
That police officer swam out to get him and eventually arrested him.
Hickmon says the man and police officer are doing fine.
It's not known why the chase started or the charges the driver will face.
