Arkansas Trooper Performs 108 MPH PIT Maneuver to Stop Fleeing Van in High-Speed Chase
ASHLEY COUNTY, AR — What started as a routine traffic attempt turned into a high-speed pursuit early Saturday morning when an Arkansas man sped away from police on U.S. Highway 165, leading troopers on a dangerous chase that ended with a 108 MPH PIT maneuver and a dramatic rollover.
According to a trooper’s narrative released by state authorities, the incident occurred around 8:17 a.m. on May 18, 2024, near Montrose. The trooper, assigned to Troop F, heard radio traffic from the Ashley County Sheriff’s Office about a vehicle that had fled from a Sterlington Police Department officer and was heading north toward the Arkansas–Louisiana state line.
The Pursuit Reaches Dangerous Speeds
The suspect, later identified as Marquise Mason, continued driving north on Highway 165, crossing into oncoming lanes and forcing other motorists off the road as law enforcement followed closely behind.
Troopers coordinated with dispatch and pursued Mason for over nine miles, maintaining contact with nearby agencies to ensure road safety. As the chase intensified, the fleeing van reportedly reached speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour.
“The suspect vehicle was traveling into the opposing lane of traffic, forcing approaching motorists off the roadway,” the trooper’s report stated.
When the roadway cleared of oncoming vehicles, the trooper executed a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) — more commonly known as a PIT maneuver — at approximately 108 MPH. The maneuver caused the suspect’s van to spin off the roadway and roll multiple times before coming to rest on its passenger side in a nearby field.
Arrest and Charges Filed
Officers quickly approached the overturned vehicle, ordering the driver to exit. Mason was taken into custody without further incident.
He faces a lengthy list of charges, including:
- Fleeing (5-54-125)
- Aggravated Assault (5-13-204)
- Reckless Driving (27-50-308)
- Speeding (27-51-201)
- Driving Left of Center (27-51-301)
- Suspended Driver’s License (27-16-303)
- No Insurance (27-22-104)
Authorities described the event as a “high-risk traffic stop” that ended safely thanks to coordination between Arkansas State Police and Ashley County Sheriff’s Office units.
No Injuries Reported, But Serious Risks Highlighted
While Mason was not seriously injured, troopers emphasized the dangers of such high-speed chases — particularly when drivers choose to flee instead of pulling over.
Law enforcement experts note that PIT maneuvers at speeds above 100 MPH are extremely rare due to the risks involved, making the successful stop a testament to both precision and timing.
“This pursuit could have easily turned deadly for other motorists,” one Arkansas officer commented in the report. “The trooper’s quick judgment prevented a far worse outcome.”
The case remains under investigation as officials review dashcam footage and radio logs from the incident.
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