Photo: Todd Hodge
A high-speed chase in Newton County Oct. 12 reportedly involved a suspect attempting to ram one vehicle by driving his truck backwards, later ramming one patrol unit and backing into a second one and attempting to strike a park ranger’s vehicle.
Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler says his office began receiving calls reporting a possibly intoxicated man at Bradley Park in Jasper. The driver was later identified as 35-year-old Todd Hodge of Deer.
Before deputies arrived, callers reported the suspect was driving backwards erratically and very fast down a neighborhood street, apparently attempting to ram a vehicle. The driver of the vehicle being pursued was also traveling backwards in order to avoid being struck. Callers then said the suspect sped toward Arkansas Highway 7.
A deputy arriving in the area met Hodge’s truck on Court Street in Jasper. He attempted to stop the truck while meeting it. But the truck swerved toward the deputy, nearly hitting his patrol unit. The deputy turned around and initiated a pursuit.
An investigator in the area responded to assist. Hodge saw the investigator approaching him by the Newton County Courthouse and rammed his truck causing extensive damage.
The pursuit continued despite heavy pedestrian traffic on the Jasper square. Hodge turned onto Arkansas Highway 74 West, where a deputy attempted an unsuccessful PIT maneuver, a technique used to stop pursuits.
A National Park Service ranger responded to assist. Hodge met the ranger near the intersection of State Highways 74 and Highway 327 and allegedly attempted to ram his vehicle.
Hodge’s vehicle swerved at the last second and missed the ranger’s unit, driving into a ditch. The deputy pulled behind Hodge’s vehicle to attempt to stop him. Hodge reportedly backed into the patrol unit and was apprehended moments later.
One of the sheriff’s office vehicles was damaged to the extent it is not drivable.
Hodge was transported to the Newton County jail. He has been charged with three counts of aggravated assault, felony counts of fleeing in a vehicle and criminal mischief, reckless driving and miscellaneous traffic violations. His bond was set at $10,000.
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