Mena man dies in police chase

— A Mena man died late Saturday after he crashed his car in an attempt to evade authorities, according to Arkansas State Police reports.

Mena police and Polk County sheriff ’s deputies were chasing Michael Lawrence, 32, of 102 Polk Road 178. Lawrence was headed south on Country Road 95, less than half a mile south of Arkansas 8, around 10:40 p.m., reports state.

According to reports, Lawrence tried to handle a right hand curve and careened off the left side of the roadway, striking a tree.

His 1993 Chevrolet pickup came to rest on the road, and Lawrence was pronounced dead at the scene.

State police officials deferred questions about the pursuit to local authorities. Calls to the Mena Police Department were not returned Monday.

Arkansas, Pages 11 on 12/04/2012

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