Arkansas police report that a Chevrolet Corvette driver accelerated to 156 miles per hour (about 251 km/h) while fleeing law enforcement. The use of spike strips to stop the vehicle slowed the pursuit, which ended in a crash and a brief foot chase. During the arrest, police say the driver was found with several key fobs for powerful pickup trucks.
Chase begins over expired registration
A routine stop for an expired vehicle registration turned into a multi-state pursuit at speeds over 160 km/h, ending with spike strips and a foot chase through a field in Missouri. According to the Arkansas State Police (ASP), the Chevrolet Corvette driver attempted to avoid being stopped by accelerating to 156 miles per hour. As reported by NEA Report, the incident occurred on the morning of June 15 on the northbound lane of Interstate 55 in Mississippi County, Arkansas. Officer Arrellano noticed a red Corvette with a license plate cover. Although such covers are not prohibited in Arkansas if they do not obscure the plate, a check revealed that the vehicle’s registration had been expired for several months.
From flashing lights to 156 miles per hour
When the officer activated his flashing lights near mile 55, the Corvette driver did not stop but instead rapidly accelerated. Police claim radar recorded speeds exceeding 150 miles per hour, with a maximum speed reaching 156 miles per hour. The pursuit continued into Missouri, where patrol officers deployed spike strips to stop the vehicle. The Corvette driver ran over them with his left tires but did not stop, driving several more miles before braking sharply. The police officer was unable to slow down in time and crashed into the Corvette.
The collision disabled both vehicles. The driver exited the Corvette with a backpack and attempted to flee on foot but surrendered nearby in a field.
Backpack full of key fobs
The suspect was identified as 28-year-old Jayden Atrian Smith from West Point, Mississippi. Inside the backpack, police found two key fobs for a Ram TRX, one for a Dodge SRT, and Smith’s driver’s license. During a search of the Corvette, 0.12 grams of suspected marijuana were found. As he was being placed in the patrol car, he stated that he was not worried about the sports car because he would ‘just buy another one.’
Smith was arrested on charges including fleeing in a vehicle creating a substantial risk of death, fleeing on foot resulting in injury, reckless driving, drug possession, lack of insurance, expired registration, and other violations.
This case demonstrates how a minor traffic violation can lead to serious consequences when a driver chooses to flee instead of cooperating with police. Speeds exceeding 250 km/h on a regular highway pose a huge danger not only to the offender but also to other road users. The driver’s statement that he would simply buy another car indicates a dismissive attitude toward the law and potentially a high income level that allows him not to worry about financial losses. However, the criminal charges he faces could have far more serious consequences than losing a vehicle, including a lengthy prison sentence.