An 18-year-old Mountain Home man has been arrested following a police pursuit in which he struck another vehicle.
According to the incident report, on November 20, authorities were traveling northbound on Wallace Knob Road when a white colored pickup was spotted taking off at a high rate of speed and spinning its tires in the Big Lots parking lot. As officials entered the parking lot, the truck continued in front of Hobby Lobby at a high rate of speed. Authorities initiated the blue lights to make a stop after passing by the Big Lots entrance and the vehicle continued on.
As authorities continued following the truck, it left the parking lot onto Market Street and struck another vehicle. As officials exited onto Market Street the suspect, later identified as Keegan Baxter Cox, made a left turn onto Gentry Street, then made a left turn onto Thorn Street, disregarded the stop sign at the intersection and continued traveling at approximately 45 miles per hour. As the chase continued onto Thorn Street and Highway 62, Cox was said to disregard the stop sign and pulled out into the path of two vehicles traveling west bound. Cox continued traveling west bound on 62 at approximately 55 miles per hour and then made a right hand turn onto North Street. At this point in the pursuit, Cox’s front passenger tire was said to strike the curb and officials witnessed sparks flying out of the wheel well. Cox continued on North Street and disregarded another stop sign, when he finally came to a stop at the corner of Market Street and College.
Cox was then placed in cuffs, checked for fitting and searched. Authorities found a pair of brass knuckles in Cox’s front pocket, and as he was placed in the patrol vehicle, the odor of intoxicants was observed on or about his persons. Cox stated he had one drink earlier in the day.
Cox was then transported to the Mountain Home Police Department for field sobriety testing due to the weather and location of the stop.
In the vehicle, authorities found a ziploc bag containing approximately 8.65 grams of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana; several alcohol bottles in the rear passenger area, along with a silicone marijuana smoking device. Cox was then transported to the Baxter County Detention Center and released to their custody.
Cox was charged with a felony count of fleeing in vehicle and misdemeanor counts of DUI underage with accident; possession of alcohol by a minor; possession of a controlled substance; possession of drug paraphernalia; leaving the scene of an accident; and criminal use of prohibited weapons.
He has been released on a $5000 bond.
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