‘I missed two days of my medication': Senator releases statement on Fayetteville traffic stop
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Arkansas State Senator Gary Stubblefield has released a statement following a traffic stop in Fayetteville on April 26.
Sen. Stubblefield, a Republican from Branch, Arkansas, has been an Arkansas Senator since 2013. Stubblefield was stopped in Fayetteville near the Washington County Jail when returning from a reunion, according to body cam footage obtained by KNWA/FOX24.
The stop was initiated by Officer Harrison Hudspeth of the Fayetteville Police Department just after 11 a.m. on Saturday. In conversation with another officer, Hudspeth cites improper lane usage and driving below the speed limit as the reason for the stop.
Hudspeth can be heard on body cam footage discussing the possibility of intoxication, but tells another officer he did not detect the smell of alcohol.
The interaction between Hudspeth and Stubblefield was recorded on FPD's body camera system. Hudspeth can be heard asking Stubblefield if he had anything to drink that morning, to which the Senator responded, 'I don't drink… I do not drink'
In the video, Stubblefield can be seen complying with all field sobriety tests requested by the officer, while also reassuring officers that he had not had any alcohol in years. Later, officers ask Stubblefield about his medical history, including what medications he takes as well as if he has ever had issues with his blood sugar levels.
Ofc. Hudspeth then offers Stubblefield the option to find a safe ride back to Branch, before deciding to drive him back to his hotel, until his wife could come to Fayetteville to drive him home.
A phone call between Hudspeth and Stubblefield's wife, Kathi, is then recorded on the body camera. Hudspeth explains to Kathi Stubblefield that he believes her husband was experiencing a medical issue.
Monday, Sen. Stubblefield posted a statement to his Facebook page in regard to the incident, stating, 'I would like to clarify the actual events. I was at a reunion with fellow Razorbacks. I was on my way home Saturday morning when I was pulled over by a police officer for getting too close to the yellow line. After a discussion of why I was pulled over, they realized I was not drinking or intoxicated. I offered to take a sobriety test to prove I was not drinking. They then said there was no need for it.'
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In the statement, Stubblefield then goes on to say that the stop was a result of a medical issue.
'I then explained to them I am on a medication and have been for over a year for some health issues l've been dealing with for several years. I missed two days of my medication, and it hindered me,' Sen. Stubblefield stated.
He then states that things returned back to normal once he returned home.
'They offered to take me back to the hotel where I stayed. They then called my wife and she and my daughter picked me up at the hotel. There were no issues, and the policemen were very kind, considerate, and accommodating, as were the hotel staff. Within a day of being on my medication, everything was back to normal and has been since,' Stubblefield stated.
He completes his statement with a note about the Franklin County Prison project, which he has been actively outspoken against.
'I find it interesting and not a coincidence that the timing of this incident is at the time we are fighting a nasty battle over a prison being put in my district. A fight that won't end here. This will not stop me! Period. Thank you to all who have shown support, encouragement, and understanding,' Sen. Stubblefield stated.
KNWA/FOX24 reached out to Fayetteville PD for a statement on the incident and is waiting to hear back.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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