Fort Smith Police Chase Ends in Fatal Crash

34-year-old Justin Michael Battenfield (Fort Smith, AR) was fatally injured in an accident that took place on Friday, April 10, 2020.

Shortly before 7:00 a.m. police were in pursuit of a vehicle traveling east on State Highway 255 (Zero Street) near Ben Geren Park. Mr. Battenfield was driving the vehicle being pursued by officers when one of the police vehicles (2014 Dodge) in pursuit initiated “a pit maneuver and contact was made with [Mr. Battenfield’s vehicle].”

“Both vehicles left the roadway. Upon leaving the roadway [Mr. Battenfield’s vehicle] overturned as it made contact with the embankment of a roadside ditch. While overturning [Mr. Battenfield’s vehicle] struck a utility pole during which time [the police vehicle] was traveling over [Mr. Battenfield’s vehicle]. Going across the driveway, both vehicles struck a second utility pole before coming to a rest.”

32-year-old Michael Shawn Ellis (Fort Smith, AR) was injured in the accident.

Conditions were reportedly clear and dry.

Additional Details: Arkansas State Police Preliminary Fatal Accident Report

Accident Location: State Highway 255 (Zero Street), Ben Geren Park, Fort Smith, Arkansas, Sebastian County:

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