Arkansas State Police Investigating Fatal Pursuit Near Atkins

The Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division is investigating a fatal crash that occurred on Wednesday evening following a vehicle pursuit along Interstate 40 near Atkins, Arkansas.

It Started When An ASP Trooper Observed A Reckless Driver

According to ASP, around 4 PM, a trooper spotted a blue Nissan Versa traveling westbound at a high rate of speed and driving recklessly. The driver reportedly used the shoulder to pass other vehicles and nearly collided with two motorists while trying to elude the officer.

READ MORE: Weekend Stuff-To-Do Around Texarkana

Dangerous Pursuit Ended with a Tactical Maneuver

The trooper intercepted the vehicle near the 92-mile marker in Pope County and used a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) maneuver to end the pursuit. The car left the roadway, and the driver was ejected from the vehicle.

Get our free mobile app

Emergency personnel attempted life-saving measures, but the driver was pronounced dead by the Pope County Coroner at 5:17 p.m.

Investigation Underway

The driver has been identified as 49-year-old Andrea Thompson. Her body was transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory in Little Rock for examination. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

Arkansas State Police Videos

Check out this video of some of the wildest Arkansas State Police and other agency chases over the summer of 2025. This is crazy stuff: