Arkansas State Police vs. Ford Mustang high speed pursuit - 111 MPH PIT MANEUVER ends chase #pit

Date:11/6/26 Arrestee: Rico Tate Vehicle: Silver Ford Mustang (TN LPN: BVV5598) Owner Information: David Wright / Memphis, TN Vehicle Damage: front/rear bumper, front/rear passenger quarter panels, passenger mirror, front passenger axle ($12,000) On Friday, November 5, 2026, at approximately 6:59 A.M., I (Trp. Dylan Evans) observed a silver Ford Mustang (TN LPN: BVV5598) traveling eastbound on Interstate 40 near the 278-mile marker faster than normal traffic. The Mustang was in the #1 (fast) lane and passed traffic rapidly. While catching up to the Mustang near the 281-mile marker, I observed it weaving through traffic while continuing eastbound at a high rate of speed, showing no regard for other motorists' safety. While continuing to catch up to the vehicle near the 282-mile marker, I used my front radar in moving-same mode to confirm the sedan’s speed of 106 mph in a 65-mph zone. I then activated the emergency lights and siren on my marked ASP unit to attempt a traffic stop. The Mustang then merged from the #1 (fast) lane to the #3 (slow) lane to pass traffic on the right. The Mustang again wove through traffic, coming within feet of striking a sedan in the slow lane and a CMV in the middle lane. I was directly behind the Mustang with my emergency lights and siren activated, and the sedan disregarded them, accelerated, and fled eastbound at approximately 110 mph. While fleeing, the Mustang merged from the fast lane to the right shoulder and passed a CMV by utilizing the right shoulder. Because the driver showed extreme indifference to the safety of the motoring public and traffic ahead, I conducted a TVI on the sedan by contacting the left rear of the suspect vehicle with the right front of my patrol vehicle but was unsuccessful in stopping the vehicle. I positioned myself and performed a second TVI by contacting the left rear of the suspect vehicle with the right front of my vehicle. This caused the suspect vehicle to rotate in a counterclockwise motion and strike the center concrete divider with the right front, disabling it. I contacted the driver/arrestee (Rico Tate) and placed him into custody without incident. I moved the Mustang and my patrol unit to the shoulder to open the traffic lanes. While moving the Mustang, I could smell the strong odor of raw marijuana inside the vehicle. During a probable cause search of the vehicle, I located approximately 7 grams of marijuana (in a zip-lock bag) inside a brown sunglass case by the center cup holders. I also located a clear plastic baggie cut off on the emergency handbrake that contained approximately 0.3 grams of suspected methamphetamine. I collected photos of the narcotics and secured the narcotics in my patrol unit. Paradise Wrecker Service stored the vehicle. I advised Tate of his Miranda Rights. He advised that he understood his rights and wished to speak with me. Tate advised that he did not know what the suspected methamphetamine was and that he found it in the parking lot of Kroger and placed it inside his vehicle. Tate also advised that he was speeding because he was running out of gas. When I ran Tate’s information through ACIC/NCIC, it returned an identification card from Tennessee only. When I ran the license plate displayed on the rear of the sedan, it returned with an unconfirmed insurance status. I could not locate valid proof of insurance inside the vehicle. Tate was transported to the Crittenden County Detention Center, where he was booked and issued the next available court date. Tate was charged with speeding, reckless driving, no driver’s license, no insurance, possession of a schedule six substance less than four ounces, fleeing (felony), and possession of a schedule one or two substance less than two grams.