Trooper Assaulted During I-55 Traffic Stop Near Burdette; 3 Taken Into Custody

An Arkansas State Police trooper was not injured after authorities say a driver resisted arrest and attempted to reach for the trooper’s firearm during a traffic stop on Interstate 55 near Burdette.

The incident happened at around 3 p.m. Thursday, August 27, 2026, near the 56-mile marker on I-55.

According to Arkansas State Police, the trooper stopped a blue Chevrolet Equinox for a traffic violation.

During the stop, the trooper attempted to take the driver, Pedro Gonzalez, 36, of Luxora, into custody because of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer.

ASP alleges Gonzalez refused to comply and resisted arrest. During the altercation, authorities say Gonzalez attempted to reach for the trooper’s firearm.

Police said the vehicle’s front-seat and rear-seat passengers then exited the Equinox and fled through a nearby wooded area.

Authorities said Gonzalez subsequently escaped custody and also fled.

The incident triggered a large multi-agency search involving the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office, Blytheville Police Department, Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division agents, ASP Air 4, Osceola Police Department, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Arkansas Department of Corrections.

According to ASP, all 3 subjects were eventually located approximately 200 yards from the traffic stop. Authorities said they were hiding along a ditch embankment.

Gonzalez was treated at a Little Rock hospital for injuries sustained during the incident before being transported to the Mississippi County Detention Center.

ASP said Gonzalez was booked on charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, fleeing, resisting arrest, no proof of insurance and no driver’s license.

The trooper was not injured during the incident, according to State Police.

Passenger Hermelinda Perez Hernandez, 38, of Mexico, was charged with obstruction and fleeing.

Passenger Bersaino Gonzalez, 39, of Mexico, was charged with fleeing.

Arkansas State Police said the investigation remains ongoing and no additional information is being released.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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