Video shows 4-month-old being thrown from SUV during high-speed chase; driver arrested

CAMDEN, Ark. (Gray News) - Arkansas authorities say a trooper was able to rescue a baby and three other children after the vehicle they were in crashed during a pursuit.

According to the Arkansas State Police, the trooper tried to pull over a Toyota Highlander for a traffic violation in Camden last month. However, the driver, identified as 28-year-old Tyrice Fletcher, refused to stop and the pursuit began.

Police said Fletcher drove faster than 100 mph as he left Camden’s city limits and continued driving south on Ouachita County Road 47.

The Arkansas State Police said that Fletcher swerved into oncoming traffic during the chase while they attempted to use tactical maneuvers but were unsuccessful in bringing the vehicle to a stop.

Fletcher ended up losing control around a curve, struck a light pole and flipped the SUV, with the vehicle landing underneath live electrical wires.

Arkansas authorities said the trooper was unaware of the children being in the vehicle until spotting a 4-month-old baby being ejected from the SUV following the crash.

The trooper can be seen in a dashcam video picking the baby up, who authorities noted was not wearing a seat belt, and rushing the child to his patrol vehicle.

Troopers at the scene also removed three other children from the vehicle, all under the age of 6 years old and reportedly unrestrained.

“I could not be more proud of the way our troopers performed their duties that day,” Troop F Captain Rick Neill said. “The suspect’s decisions placed four innocent victims in harm’s way. At any point during the pursuit, the suspect could have stopped. He refused.”

The children were taken to Ouachita County Medical Center and treated for minor injuries. The mother of the kids was notified and responded to the hospital.

Authorities said Fletcher was found to be a convicted felon. His charges from the pursuit include felony fleeing, possession of a defaced firearm, reckless driving, no driver’s license and four counts of endangering the welfare of a minor.

“We will continue to hold offenders accountable. When suspects have children in their vehicles, they should be punished accordingly,” Col. Mike Hagar said. “Troopers act as quickly as possible to protect the lives of innocent motorists by bringing these dangerous incidents to an end.”