An Arkansas State Police corporal has resigned after he allegedly drove an ASP patrol vehicle while impaired and crashed off a highway during his shift. The patrol car reportedly came close to hitting another vehicle before leaving the road.
The single-vehicle crash happened around 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, on U.S. Highway 278 near Monticello. Thankfully, no one was injured.
Arkansas State Police said John M. Parker, 45, of Camden, was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated/drugs and careless and prohibited driving. Standardized field sobriety tests reportedly showed that he was impaired during the incident.
Newly released dash-camera video shows the patrol vehicle swerving across the highway before leaving the road. The corporal resigned on Aug. 23, two days after his arrest.
The Patrol Car Crossed Into Oncoming Traffic
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The dash-camera footage shows the patrol car moving between the traffic lanes and median. It then crosses into oncoming traffic before going off the side of the highway.
The driver avoided hitting other vehicles and utility poles before the patrol car stopped near a gravel parking area. According to the arrest report, the corporal radioed dispatch to report the crash. Civilian witnesses also called 911. They reportedly told dispatch that the patrol vehicle had almost hit their car before leaving the road.
He Said He May Have Fallen Asleep
According to the arrest report obtained by KATV, the corporal said he did not know what happened and may have blacked out or fallen asleep. Troopers at the scene reported signs of impairment and unusual behavior. The report says he had difficulty maintaining his balance during the field sobriety tests, although the trooper’s microphone did not record audio during that portion of the stop.
EMS medically cleared the corporal before troopers took him to ASP Troop F headquarters for additional testing. He agreed to provide a urine sample, which was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory.
The corporal reportedly told troopers that he had legal prescriptions for medications that included central nervous system depressants. The toxicology results have not been released, so the substance involved has not been confirmed.
The Internal Investigation Is Continuing
ASP initially placed the corporal on administrative leave. An updated agency statement says he resigned on Aug. 23 after working for Arkansas State Police since 2014. The ASP Office of Professional Standards is continuing its internal investigation despite the resignation. The Highway Patrol Division is also investigating the crash.
Troopers took the corporal to the Drew County Detention Center following his arrest. ASP has not announced the results of either investigation or any additional charges at this time.