An Arkansas State Police trooper ended a pursuit near Hardy, Arkansas, on July 13 by using a tactical vehicle intervention to stop a driver accused of driving recklessly on U.S. Highway 63. The driver, identified as Shonna R. Lalonde, was taken into custody, according to NEA Report. Police said they planned to file several charges against her, including fleeing and driving while intoxicated.
Beginning at approximately 12:14 p.m., law enforcement initiated a pursuit after receiving a call reporting that a white Chevrolet was traveling northbound between Black Rock and Imboden. The caller stated that the Chevrolet was swerving, crossing the double-yellow center line to pass other motorists and forcing vehicles off the road, nearly causing several crashes. Police said the Chevrolet’s speed ranged from 45 to 75 mph in a 55-mph zone.
Ravenden Police Chief John Kedding first attempted to stop the suspect’s Chevrolet near Ravenden, but the driver allegedly continued north through Hardy. An Arkansas State Police trooper intercepted the vehicle at approximately 12:31 p.m. at the base of Bowman Hill and became the primary officer conducting the pursuit.
After the trooper stopped the Chevrolet with a tactical vehicle intervention, the vehicle went off-road on the southbound side and eventually came to a stop. Lalonde was then taken into custody. During an inventory search of the Chevrolet, law enforcement officials stated they found a 1.75-liter bottle of Bacardi rum, about one-third full, near the driver’s position, as well as a marijuana grinder with residue in the glove box.
What Charges Is Lalonde Facing?
Police said they planned to file charges of fleeing, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, possession of drug paraphernalia, open container, and no proof of insurance. Lalonde was taken to White River Medical Complex in Cherokee Village for an evaluation after the arrest. Police obtained a warrant for a blood sample to determine whether alcohol or controlled substances were present, and she was booked into the Sharp County Detention Facility after the blood draw.
Still, Lalonde has not been convicted of anything just yet. In Arkansas, fleeing in a vehicle can be charged as a felony when the flight creates a substantial danger of death or serious injury to others, while a first-offense DWI is a misdemeanor. The blood test results, which were not available at the time of the report, will factor into how the DWI allegation proceeds.
How a Tactical Vehicle Intervention Works
A tactical vehicle intervention, also called a TVI or PIT maneuver, is a technique in which a pursuing officer uses the patrol vehicle to make contact with the rear quarter of a fleeing car, causing it to rotate and lose momentum, ultimately coming to a stop. Arkansas State Police train troopers to use the maneuver to end pursuits before they reach busier areas, where the risk to bystanders climbs. In this case, the trooper used it on Highway 63 rather than let the chase continue toward Hardy.
The technique is common in Arkansas but not without risk, which is why agencies set policies for when it can be used. State police data show ASP troopers have carried out more than 1,400 such maneuvers across thousands of pursuits since 2016. Earlier this year, the agency highlighted the stakes when a trooper was terminated after performing a TVI on the wrong vehicle during a separate pursuit, thereby stopping an uninvolved motorist by mistake.