DWI / Drunk Driver takes Arkansas State Police on 100+ MPH pursuit until stopping (Chrysler 300)
Trooper's Report:
On April 6, 2024, at approximately 7:23pm, I was running moving radar on US Highway 70, at the Johnson Bridge Road, in
Sevier County. I observed a gray Chrysler 300 (AUK26J) traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed. I activated my in-car
radar, utilizing my front antenna. The radar indicated that the vehicle was being operated at 71mph in a 55mph speed zone.
As the violator passed my location, I immediately turned around and proceeded behind the vehicle with my emergency
overhead lights activated. I activated my front radar, in moving mode, and the radar indicated the suspect vehicle’s speed had
increased to 107mph in a 55mph speed zone. At that time, I activated my audible siren and notified Arkansas State Police
Troop G Dispatch that I was in pursuit of the fleeing vehicle. The pursuit continued eastbound on US Highway 70. As the
pursuit crossed the Mud Creek Bridge, I observed a liquid substance come from passenger side window. After approximately
1.7 miles from the original violation location, the vehicle pulled onto the south asphalt shoulder and came to a complete stop.
Trooper Zane Butler and I began giving audible commands to both occupants of the vehicle. While detaining the occupants,
we smelled an extremely strong odor of intoxicants coming from the occupants. While searching the vehicle, we located two
open cases of alcohol, along with open containers of alcohol. I observed the passenger side window was busted from the
passenger throwing a beer bottle out. While patting down the driver, I removed the driver’s wallet. Inside the driver’s wallet was .2 grams of a white powdery substance, believed to be cocaine.
Baker’s Wrecker Service was contacted to recover the vehicle, and I transported both the driver, Julio Cesar Cruz Santiago, and passenger, Eduardo Marrufo, to the Sevier County Detention Center.
Once at the Sevier County Detention Center, Standardized Field Sobriety Tests were conducted on the driver, Mr. Cruz. Mr.
Cruz exhibited 6 of 6 clues on HGN, 7 of 8 clues on Walk and Turn, and 2 of 4 clues on the One Leg Stand. The Arkansas DWI
Statement of Rights Form was read aloud, as Jailer Itzel Torres translated for Mr. Cruz. Mr. Cruz signed in acknowledgment.
When asked if he would provide a breath sample, he refused, with the on-shift jailer signing in acknowledgment.
The passenger, Mr. Marrufo, was charged with:
Drinking on the Highway, Open Container of Alcohol on Highway, and Littering.
The driver, Mr. Cruz, was charged with:
Felony Fleeing-Exceeding the Speed Limit, Felony POCS Cocaine 2 grams, Driving
While Intoxicated (3rd), Refusal to Submit to Chemical Tests, Speeding, Drinking on Highway, Open Container of Alcohol on
Highway, Driving on Suspended DL, Violation of DL Restriction-Interlock Device, and No Proof of Liability Insurance.