An Arkansas State Police (ASP) Trooper has been terminated after mistakenly conducting a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) on an innocent motorist during a pursuit on Interstate 630 in Little Rock.
Arkansas State Police officials confirmed the trooper, who was hired in October 2024 and was still on probation, was immediately placed on administrative duty following the incident and was officially terminated on Wednesday morning. No injuries were reported. The uninvolved driver has requested privacy.
“We are thankful no one was injured in this incident, and we appreciate this motorist accepting the situation with grace,” said Colonel Mike Hagar, Director of the Arkansas State Police. “Even though we know humans sometimes make mistakes, a mistake of this nature has serious consequences.”
The incident occurred around 11:45 a.m. on Sunday, January 18, 2026, when a trooper observed a white Buick Envista traveling 92 mph in a 60-mph zone on I-630 eastbound. The vehicle was stopped near the 6-mile marker, and the driver was identified as Johnny Williams, 38, of Little Rock. The trooper reported detecting the odor of marijuana and confirmed Williams was driving on a suspended license.
When Williams was instructed to exit the vehicle, he refused and fled, continuing eastbound on I-630. The trooper briefly lost sight of the suspect vehicle while reentering traffic and notified dispatch of the pursuit.
Shortly afterward, the trooper spotted a white SUV exiting I-630 at Exit 5 and mistakenly believed it was the fleeing suspect. The trooper conducted a TVI to prevent the vehicle from entering city streets. After stopping the SUV and ordering the female driver out at gunpoint, the trooper realized the wrong vehicle had been stopped and immediately apologized.
Williams later turned himself in at the ASP Troop A headquarters on January 20. He was arrested on felony fleeing and misdemeanor charges including failing to obey a police officer, driving on a suspended license, and speeding more than 15 mph over the posted limit.
Arkansas State Police officials noted that since 2016, troopers have conducted 1,428 TVIs during more than 4,700 pursuits, with only two cases involving mistaken identity.
“The Arkansas State Police is committed to protecting the public while holding itself to the highest standards of professionalism and accountability,” Hagar said. “We remain focused on continuous improvement to maintain the trust of the communities we serve.”
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