Max Bryan
The Times Record
SEBASTIAN COUNTY, Ark. — A Fort Smith woman was arrested Tuesday morning after she allegedly tried to ram multiple law enforcement vehicles and flashed a gun at a Sebastian County deputy during a pursuit.
Jennifer K. Porter, 27, was arrested on suspicion of eight counts of felony aggravated assault, fleeing and felon in possession of a firearm. Porter allegedly rammed at least four law enforcement vehicles including one she disabled during a pursuit in a stolen pickup truck around 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, according to a Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office news release.
Authorities also expect to charge Porter with vehicle theft from the incident, the release states.
Deputies initiated the chase after a vehicle and pistol were reported stolen around 10:30 a.m. in the 17000 block of Highway 45. A deputy spotted a red 4-wheel Dodge pickup on Highway 71 near Greenwood speeding around 100 mph and tried to stop it. The vehicle, driven by Porter, did not stop and instead turned west onto Young Ridge Road.
Porter tried to wreck the deputy near Young Ridge Road and Palestine Road by slamming on her brakes. The pursuit continued on multiple county roads and state highways.
On Dayton Road, Porter produced a firearm and rammed the deputy’s cruiser.
Officers from other agencies later spotted the vehicle at the intersection of Highway 71 South and Browntown Road. Porter tried to ram multiple police vehicles, reaching speeds between 50-90 mph. She also tried to ram a vehicle driven by a civilian.
Arkansas State Police eventually caught Porter on Highway 71 South just north of the Jenny Lind community. They performed a PIT maneuver on Porter and ended the pursuit.
Porter was held without bond on Tuesday afternoon in the Sebastian County Adult Detention Center.