DWI & reckless attempting to get Mother to hospital - RIGHT or WRONG? #police #pursuit #pit

Trooper's Report:

On February 17, 2024, at approximately 4:24 PM I was traveling south on U.S. 67 in the inside traffic lane. I observed a GMC
pickup, brown in color, displaying an Arkansas license plate of AMR23N, traveling south on U.S. 67 in the outside traffic lane. I
observed the vehicle change lanes to the inside traffic lane, failing to use its blinker. After the vehicle in front of me changed
lanes, the GMC pickup appeared to be traveling faster than the posted speed limit of 75 MPH. My front RADAR confirmed this
with a clear concise tone and a reading of 97 MPH. After catching up to the vehicle I observed that the driver was not wearing a
seatbelt.
I turned on my emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop.
The vehicle continued to travel south on U.S. 67. I turned on my audible siren and the vehicle continued to fail to stop. The
vehicle slowed to 88 MPH. While pursuing the vehicle it maintained speeds between 88 MPH and 95 MPH. The vehicle was
passing traffic that was in the outside traffic lanes and continued southbound for approximately 5 miles. The vehicle changed
lanes to the outside traffic lane and subsequently made a right turn onto the southbound Exit 46 off-ramp. I attempted a TVI
that was unsuccessful. The vehicle continued to travel south on the off-ramp before making a right turn to travel west on U.S.
67B (East Race Avenue). There was heavy traffic at this intersection and the westbound traffic was backed up at the stop light
at the intersection of U.S. 67B and Poplar Street. The vehicle drove onto the sidewalk around and traveled west into the
intersection of Poplar Street and U.S. 67B and continued westbound. I caught back up to the vehicle before attempting a
second TVI. This TVI was successful in stopping the suspect vehicle.

However, the vehicle backed up and began to flee again
westbound on U.S. 67B traveling between both westbound lanes. I caught up to the fleeing vehicle and attempted a third TVI
that was successful in ending the pursuit. The vehicle came to a stop on U.S. 67B in the two-way turn lane and eastbound
traffic lanes.

The driver exited the vehicle and began yelling and waving his arms. I gave verbal commands for him to show me his hands
and get on the ground. He ignored my commands and continued yelling and refusing my commands. At this time, I learned
there was another individual in the vehicle. The driver, later identified as Steve Harmon, yelled that he was going to the
hospital. I moved closer to get a view of who was in the vehicle. I observed an elderly female in the vehicle lying down in the
front seat. I informed dispatch that an ambulance was needed. I began speaking to Harmon in an attempt to calm him down.

Arkansas State Police Troopers Cody Brown and Justin Parrish arrived to assist. I could smell a strong odor of intoxicants
coming from Harmon. He also had bloodshot shot watery eyes. I instructed Harmon to exit the vehicle. He refused and stated
that he was not leaving his mother. I informed him that he would be tased if he did not exit the vehicle. Harmon still refused and
began actively resisting by grasping the steering wheel. I grabbed Harmon’s left hand and used my CEW to drive-stun Harmon
in his thigh. Trooper Brown and I pulled Harmon out of the vehicle. Harmon was placed on the ground where he continued to
physically resist arrest. I drive-stunned Harmon in his right hip. Trooper Brown and I were able to place Harmon in handcuffs.

I helped Harmon to his feet to escort him to my patrol unit. At this time, I read Harmon his Miranda Rights. After searching
Harmon’s person, I began escorting him to the back of my patrol unit. Harmon began to physically resist and try to pull away. I
placed Harmon against my patrol unit to help gain control of him. Harmon was placed in the back of my patrol unit. I asked
Harmon how much he had to drink. Harmon refused to answer. I asked Harmon if he would take a portable breath test. He
stated that he would not.

Trooper Brown checked on the welfare of the elderly female who was lying in the front seat, identifying her as Norma Harmon.

She did not appear to have any injuries. North Star responded and transported Norma Harmon to the Unity Health Emergency
Room. Trooper Brown. located an open bottle of whiskey in the vehicle while he was conducting an inventory. Searcy Towing
responded and took possession of the vehicle.
I transported Harmon to the Unity Health Emergency Room. Upon our arrival, I obtained a search warrant for a legal blood
draw. Two tubes of Harmon’s blood were obtained by the hospital staff.

Harmon was transported to the White County Law Enforcement Center. Prosecuting Attorney, Rebecca Reed McCoy was
contacted and advised of this incident. Upon our arrival, Harmon was booked in on the charges of:
Failure to wear a seatbelt,
careless and prohibited driving,
possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle,
fleeing,
resisting arrest,
and driving while intoxicated.