Latest news with #MikeHagar
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Arkansas State Police reminds drivers to move over for first responders
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas State Police is reminding drivers that moving over for first responders is a state law. The Arkansas Move Over Law requires drivers to move over not only for emergency vehicles but also for vehicles operated by the Arkansas Department of Transportation, utility vehicles, tow trucks, and other authorized vehicles displaying flashing, revolving, or rotating lights in blue, red, amber, white, or green, according to ASP officials. ASP: Teen dead, 3 teens injured after high-speed pursuit involving Arkansas State Police ends in crash Officials added that when approaching an authorized vehicle that is stopped or parked on a street, road, highway, or shoulder, drivers must move to the farthest lane or position themselves as far away from the authorized vehicle as possible. They should remain in that lane until they have safely passed the authorized vehicle while exercising caution. If changing lanes is unsafe or impossible, the driver should reduce their speed according to the conditions of the street, road, or highway where the authorized vehicle is stopped or parked. Officials said anyone who violates the law may face fines ranging from $250 to $1,000, possible jail time and risk losing their driver's license. ASP Col. Mike Hagar said moving over is more than a courtesy. 'When you see flashing lights, move over or slow down,' Hagar said. 'This is the law and a responsibility we all share.' Arkansas State Police arrests man in Eudora after nationwide alert Late Wednesday morning, two ASP troopers were hit while they were making a traffic stop on Interstate 430. The troopers were treated and released, and the driver of the vehicle that hit the patrol car was not injured. 'This incident highlights the critical importance of the Move Over Law. The collision occurred during a routine traffic stop, a scenario where law enforcement officers are especially vulnerable,' Hagar said at the time. 'Compliance with the Move Over Law is essential to prevent such accidents and protect emergency workers on Arkansas roads.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Arkansas State Police troopers injured in I-430 crash during traffic stop
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas State Police officials said two troopers were injured while conducting a traffic stop. ASP officials said the troopers were conducting the traffic stop on Tuesday around 11 a.m. on Interstate 430 when their patrol car was hit by a passing car. Arkansas State Police trooper injured in Easter Sunday crash in Garland County Authorities said the troopers were treated at a local hospital and released. Officials added that the driver of the other car was not injured. 'This incident highlights the critical importance of the Move Over Law. The collision occurred during a routine traffic stop, a scenario where law enforcement officers are especially vulnerable,' ASP Col. Mike Hagar said. 'Compliance with the Move Over Law is essential to prevent such accidents and protect emergency workers on Arkansas roads.' According to state police, the Move Over Law requires drivers to move to the farthest lane away from all emergency vehicles that are stopped or parked on a street, road, highway or shoulder. Arkansas Capitol police officer injured in hit-and-run crash ASP officials added that those who violate the Move Over Law could face fines ranging from $250 to $1,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man traveling from LA to Memphis caught with 50 kilos of drugs
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A California man is now facing charges after police say he was caught driving from Los Angeles to Memphis with 15 kilos of fentanyl and 35 kilos of cocaine. Claude Bell, 56, of California, is charged with 21 counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and 21 counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. On May 19, Arkansas State Police say they conducted a traffic stop on a tractor-trailer driving eastbound on Interstate 40. US DOJ drops MPD investigation, retracts findings of Constitutional violations The trooper says four boxes with 15 kilos of fentanyl and 35 kilos of cocaine were found in the cab of the truck. The seizure amount is around 150,000 lethal doses, according to ASP Col. Mike Hagar. 'Removing over 36 pounds of Fentanyl from our communities will save an untold number of lives. This seizure amounts to around 150,000 lethal doses taken off the streets,' Hagar said. 'Our top priority is protecting the lives of Arkansans. Seizures like this should serve as a warning to anyone transporting illicit narcotics along our interstates and highways. State Police will remain vigilant and committed to keeping the roads safe for law-abiding citizens.' Claude Bell is currently in the custody of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and will face charges in the U.S. Eastern District federal court in Little Rock, Arkansas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
Arkansas State Police, prosecuting attorneys announce crackdown on car chase suspects
Arkansas State Police Director Col. Mike Hagar (left) addresses reporters at a news conference at ASP's Camp Robinson training facility in North Little Rock on Friday, February 28, 2025. Prosecuting attorneys Daniel Shue of the 12th Judicial District (center) and Will Jones of the 6th Judicial District (right) listen. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate) Arkansas State Police leaders and the state's elected prosecuting attorneys announced Friday that they will increase their enforcement of laws against fleeing from police, citing an increase in the number of car chases and associated injuries and deaths in recent years. 'From this day forward, all felony fleeing cases will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,' ASP Director Col. Mike Hagar said at a news conference. 'We want the message to be very clear: we will pursue you, we will stop you and the men and women standing behind me will prosecute you.' Most of the state's 28 prosecuting attorneys and state prosecutor coordinator Bob McMahan attended the press conference at ASP's Camp Robinson training facility in North Little Rock, where troopers are trained in vehicle pursuit maneuvers. One of state troopers' tools to end a pursuit is the precise immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver, in which a trooper purposely collides a vehicle into the car being pursued. The PIT maneuver led to eight deaths in Arkansas between 2017 and June 2024, 40/29 News in Rogers reported last year. ASP released a public service announcement Friday afternoon that included footage of PIT maneuvers conducted by state troopers. In the video, Hagar said it's 'the safest thing for the public' for troopers in pursuit of a fleeing vehicle to 'put 'em in the ditch.' Central Arkansas saw 250 more pursuits in 2022 than in 2017, Hagar said at the news conference. He was commander of ASP's Troop A during that time. In response to questions from reporters, Hagar said he did not know why the number of pursuits spiked. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Statewide, ASP troopers engaged in 553 pursuits in 2024, Hagar said. These instances led to the deaths of three suspects and three civilians, as well as injuries to nine civilians, 14 troopers and 83 suspects. 'If we engage in a pursuit, the number one priority is to stop that pursuit,' he said. '…We're going to put public safety first. We don't engage in high-speed parades.' Fleeing law enforcement in a vehicle is a Class A misdemeanor. Assisting someone in fleeing is also a chargeable offense, said Daniel Shue, prosecuting attorney for the 12th Judicial District and president of the Arkansas Prosecuting Attorney's Association. If a driver 'creates a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to another person' and displays 'extreme indifference to the value of human life,' fleeing was considered a Class D felony until a 2021 law increased it to a Class C felony. A 2023 law made fleeing a Class D felony if the driver exceeds the posted speed limit. Hagar said ASP will advocate for more legislative action on fleeing during the current session.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Yahoo
Arkansas State Police says the agency seized more than $3 million, 15,000 pounds of marijuana in 2024
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Officials with Arkansas State Police said the agency saw a significant increase of illegal drug seizures during traffic stops in 2024 compared to the previous year. ASP officials said they seized $3.3 million in 2024, which more than doubled compared to the $1.4 million seized in 2023. State troopers said illegal marijuana seizures increased by almost 50% with more than 15,000 pounds seized in 2024. Methamphetamine seizures increased from 56 pounds in 2023 to 509 pounds in 2024, the agency said. State troopers said the number of weapons confiscated in 2024 was up one from 2023. Arkansas State Police seizes ecstasy, mushrooms, promethazine & illegal marijuana after 130 mph police chase in Little Rock Special agents said the ASP's Interstate Criminal Patrol, which specializes in drug interdiction, played a part in the increase of illegal drug seizures. 'The dedication of the ASP's ICP exemplifies a commitment to bolstering public safety and battling the influx of illegal drugs being trafficked throughout the state,' ASP Director Colonel Mike Hagar said. 'We are delivering a powerful and unmistakable warning to anyone transporting illicit narcotics along our interstates and highways – We will catch you, and you will face the consequences.' Cocaine and fentanyl seizures saw a decrease from 2023 to 2024, ASP officials said. Arkansas State Police seizes more than a ton of illegal marijuana on Interstate 40 in Crawford County State troopers said other illegal drugs seized in 2024 included Psilocybin mushrooms, Promethazine, illegal prescription pills, THC wax and vapes. Twenty vehicles were also seized. ASP K9 team deployments found illegal marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, other illegal narcotics and $1.2 million in cash in 2024. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
