Channel 4 reports, quoting Hot Springs police, said that two people were killed in a Hot Springs crash Monday night that stemmed from a police chase.
The crash followed a chase of perhaps a half-mile on Airport Road near Lake Hamilton about 9:15 p.m..
A state trooper’s car was involved in the crash and it was on fire when emergency workers arrived to pull him from the vehicle. KARK reported early this morning that the trooper was taken by helicopter to a hospital.
UPDATE: The Hot Springs police are working on a report because the accident occurred in the city limits. What I know at this point is that the unidentified trooper survived the accident, but suffered serious injuries.
The speeding driver that the trooper was chasing got away.
Killed were two people in a car making a left turn from westbound U.S. 70 when struck by the trooper’s eastbound car. They were said to be new arrivals to the state, preparing to open a restaurant.
The trooper had been westbound on U.S. 70 when he clocked on oncoming speeder. He made a u-turn and pursued at high speed.
UPDATE II: The Hot Springs release:
On October 10, 2016 at 9:22 pm, the Hot Springs Police Department responded to an accident in the 1300 block of Airport Road. The preliminary investigation reveals the accident occurred at Airport Road and Kleinshore Road. The accident involved a 2011 Chevy Malibu and a marked Arkansas State Police vehicle. The State Police vehicle was driven by Trooper First Class Brian Burke.
The two occupants who were in the 2011 Chevy Malibu have been identified as Tavon Desean Jenkins, 24 and Cassandra Marie Braun, 26, both from Hot Springs. Mr. Jenkins and Ms. Braun were both deceased at the scene due to their injuries. Trooper Burke was transported to St. Vincent Hospital in Hot Springs and is listed in fair condition.
The investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing. Hot Springs Police Detectives and Accident Reconstruction Investigators are in the process of collecting additional evidence to include the Trooper’s event data recorder, on board camera recordings and video from area businesses. Furthermore, investigators are currently interviewing witnesses.
Anyone with information concerning this accident is asked to contact the Hot Springs Police Department at 501-321-6789.
The investigation should include the speed the trooper was traveling and whether his emergency lights were engaged.