Springdale Man Jailed After Police Chase

— A Springdale man was behind bars Tuesday after leading Benton County law enforcement officers on a chase Monday evening, authorities said.

Oscar Cortez, 23, of 2182 Eleanor Lane, was being held in connection with felony fleeing with extreme indifference and misdemeanor reckless driving, impeding traffic flow, illegal disposal of solid waste at an unpermitted site and driving while license canceled, suspended or revoked.

A Benton County sheriff’s deputy working with the Crime Suppression Unit on Interstate 540 attempted to stop a southbound vehicle driven by Cortez, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office. The deputy was working as part of the region’s high intensity drug trafficking patrol.

Instead of stopping, Cortez exited the interstate, circled Pinnacle Hills Promenade and Mercy Medical Center then returned to the interstate and headed for Springdale, authorities said.

Several attempts to stop the vehicle using stop-sticks were unsuccessful, according to the sheriff’s department news release.

The chase ended when Cortez exited Interstate 540 at U.S. 412 in Springdale and was captured at the Denny’s Restaurant near the intersection.

Upcoming Events