High-speed chase ends in crash

West Memphis man in hospital after leading police into pursuit

news@theeveningtimes.com

A 28-year-old West Memphis man was seriously injured Monday night following a high speed chase that began when police attempted to stop his vehicle over a defective headlight on Dover Road and ended when his vehicle overturned several miles away near Proctor, Assistant West Memphis Police Chief Robert Langston said.

The suspect was identified as convicted felon Michael R. Grant, and has been charged with driving on a suspended driver’s license, felony fleeing and possession of a firearm.

Langston said it all began about 9 p.m. Monday, when police were patrolling the area of Dover and North Avalon. The officer observed a small four-door silver vehicle traveling west on Dover with a defective headlight.

Right before the driver drove passed the officer it appeared he turned on his high beam headlights at which time the officer got behind the 2004 Nissan Sentra and initiated a routine traffic stop.

“The driver, later identified as Grant, refused to stop and began traveling at a high rate of speed while fleeing. Officers gave pursuit and continued through the northwest area of the city eventually traveling south toward Proctor on College Boulevard,” Langston said.

Langston said officers pursued south on Airport Road, continued to Waverly Road and onto Lake Rest Road where the driver lost control and overturned near Lake Rest Road and Cypress.

“The vehicle flipped multiple times and the driver, later identified as Grant, was ejected and pinned under the vehicle.

Officers were able to push the vehicle back over and were then able to free and remove Grant away from the vehicle,” Langston said. Langston said Emergency Medical Services arrived as well as the West Memphis Fire Department at which time Grant was stabilized until Air Vac was able to make the scene. Grant was later flown to Regional One Hospital in Memphis where he was admitted.

Investigating officers located a handgun in the driver’s side floorboard of the vehicle and learned that Grant had a suspended driver’s license. Further investigation revealed that Grant was charged with absconding and parole violation and had prior felony convictions.

Langston said that deputies with the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Department also made the scene and worked the accident.