The Arkansas State Police pursued a red Chevrolet Corvette C8 Stingray for several miles, with speeds reaching up to 156 mph, before the chase ended in a brake-check crash.
The pursuit was caught on camera, showing the Corvette driver had no intention of stopping, until the left-side tires were deflated by stop sticks.
After damaging his Corvette and a patrol vehicle, the suspect attempted to flee on foot, but he had nowhere to escape.
What was found in his backpack, and his statement to the officers, was even more surprising.
A License Plate Check Led to a Multi-State Pursuit
According to the NEA Report, the incident occurred on June 15, around 8:22 a.m., when Arkansas State Police Trooper Arellano was conducting traffic enforcement in the northbound lanes of I-55.
The trooper spotted the red Corvette with a license plate cover. A check revealed that the registration had expired in March 2026. When the trooper turned on his lights, the Corvette driver, identified as Jayden Smith, did not stop. Instead, he sped away.
He headed northbound at high speed, with the trooper’s radar showing he hit 156 mph. Smith even crossed the Arkansas-Missouri state line, where Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers had a surprise for him.
Near the 4-mile marker, troopers were ready with tire deflation devices, which deflated the Corvette’s left-side tires. However, the sports car continued northbound before exiting near the 8-mile marker onto Missouri State Highway 164.
The report added that the Corvette slowed down because of damaged tires. Footage shows the ASP trooper trying to position the patrol vehicle for a tactical vehicle intervention when suddenly the Corvette driver braked hard, causing the patrol vehicle to crash into it.
The Corvette’s rear right section was damaged, while the patrol vehicle’s front left was affected.
Suspect Runs on Foot With Multiple Key Fobs In His Backpack
Ditching the Corvette, Smith then tried to escape on foot, running northbound through a field with a black backpack. The trooper pursued Smith on foot and eventually arrested him.
Smith’s backpack contained two Ram TRX key fobs, one Dodge SRT key fob, and his driver’s license. It is not known if the key fobs belonged to vehicles owned by Smith.
When his Corvette was searched, officers found a small plastic container with suspected marijuana, which weighed 0.12 grams. However, Smith was not worried about his damaged car, because he was confident he could “simply buy another one.”
ASP said it will seek compensation for the damage to its patrol vehicle caused during the pursuit. The NEA report mentions the allegations against Smith, which include “felony fleeing in a vehicle creating a substantial danger of death, fleeing on foot, possession of a controlled substance, reckless driving, no seat belt, no liability insurance, improper lane change, expired tags and improper display of license tags.”