LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A Little Rock man is facing charges of felony fleeing and first degree murder following a wrong way crash during a police pursuit early Thursday morning.
The Benton Police Department requested help from Arkansas State Police around 2:46 a.m. due to 24-year-old Anthony Smith fleeing eastward on I-30. Police say Smith was driving as fast as 125 mph during the pursuit.
Police say that during the chase, Smith would narrowly miss other cars and drove over 100 mph through a construction zone. Smith would also continue the chase going the wrong way on I-30, I-430, and an exit ramp.
At one point, a trooper attempted a PIT/TVI maneuver "but Smith evaded the maneuver" and continued driving north on I-430 South.
During the pursuit, police say that Smith "swerved" and hit 27-year-old Clifford Griffin's car head on near Colonel Glen Road on I-430. The crash between the two cars pushed both into the tree line, which then caused a fire.
Griffin, who was from Maumelle, would be pronounced dead at the scene.
Smith was transported to a nearby hospital and is being treated for his injuries. He will be taken into custody once he is released from the hospital.
“The loss of this promising young man’s life is devastating,” said ASP Colonel Mike Hagar. “This tragedy is a direct result of the suspect’s reckless, selfish actions. The suspect terrorized an untold number of motorists who should be able to travel our roadways in peace.”
We will update this article with more information as it becomes available.
