On Thursday afternoon while extra-patrolling Bugscuffle Road near Lavaca due to a number of speeding complaints, Deputy J. Young attempted to stop a speeding car at Bugscuffle Road and State Hwy. 255. The vehicle accelerated rapidly, fleeing from the deputy.
As the vehicle was fleeing through Barling at speeds of approximately 60mph, the front passenger opened the door and jumped out. The passenger slid one way and the gun in his waistband slid another. He rolled a number of yards and sustained significant road rash. The gun was recovered and found to be loaded.
Other units who were assisting, including Barling, and Arkansas State Police continued the pursuit as it continued into Fort Smith.
The fleeing vehicle then veered into the Sam’s parking lot at which point Barling police officers used a tactical vehicle intervention technique to bring the vehicle to a sudden stop.
The driver, Austin Pester, then jumped out and fled on foot, but was quickly captured by officers.
A female in the back, Sarena Barrios, played the sleeping beauty card, and claims to have slept through the entire episode.
Pester was charged with Felony Fleeing In Vehicle, Battery 2 On Police Officer, Resisting Arrest, Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia.
Sarena was charged with Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia.
As of now, the passenger has not been charged. He said he was just catching a ride into town, when one thing led to another, blue light started flashing, and he was on an episode of COPS. EMS bandaged him up like a mummy and took him to the hospital.
this investigation is continuing.
