Shoplifting incident takes a deadly turn

Shoplifting incident takes a deadly turn

Man attempts wrong- way escape from West Memphis police, dies in pursuit

news@theeveningtimes.com

An alleged Walmart shoplifter is dead after a police chase down Interstate 40 through West Memphis on Monday, May 21. Police made contact with Ronald Clinton of Memphis at the store. A chase quickly led east on the Interstate. Clinton pulled over near Ingram Boulevard but took off again very nearly hitting a patrolman.

Before getting to the Hernando DeSoto Bridge, Clinton turned around weaving in and out of traffic going the wrong way.

The 47-year-old crashed his black sedan into a tanker near mile marker 280.

The patrolman shot at the driver as the chase ended.

Clinton died later at the hospital. Clinton’s body was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine if the cause of death was from the crash or gunshot.

West Memphis Police Chief Donald Oakes said the incident had been handed over to the Arkansas State Police, offered not details and did not name the officer involved in the shooting.

“It would be inappropriate to comment on an active investigation by the State Police,” said Oakes.

The state police issued a statement confirming that the WMPD had “requested its assistance in the investigation.”

The chase was a bit of a bumper car pursuit according to investigators. State police said the attempted traffic stop happened at about 5 p.m.

“As local police officers pursued the vehicle, the driver reportedly struck police patrol cars with his vehicle. The suspect driver then reversed his direction and began driving westbound toward officers in the eastbound traffic lanes.” The state police issued a brief narrative of the shooting at the crash scene.

“At least one local officer fired on the approaching driver. The vehicle struck an eastbound commercial carrier truck and trailer.

The suspect, injured in the crash, was extracted from the collision scene and transported to an area hospital where he later died.”

The aftermath took investigators over three hours to clear the scene and had Interstate 40 closed for more than three hours. Police diverted all Memphis bound traffic to Interstate 55. State Police outlined the path through the pending investigation.

“The investigation by the state police will be turnedover to the prosecuting attorney for review to determine if the use of deadly force by the West Memphis Police officer was justified as prescribed by Arkansas

law.

By John Rech