Road Rage Leads to Arrest

Police arrested a Springdale couple Friday after they reportedly drove drunk with a child into oncoming traffic, striking two cars.

Dennis Bree, 37, of 3602 Edwards Ave. in Springdale faces charges of third-degree domestic battery, first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, second-degree assault, fleeing, driving while intoxication, violation of implied consent, run red light, no proof of insurance and no proof of ownership. He also faces a possible parole violation. Melanie Jones, 27, of 13 A. Applegate Drive in Springdale faces a felony charge of first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and misdemeanor public intoxication.

Springdale police were called to the area of West End Street and Sunset Avenue for a report of a rolling disturbance at 5:39 p.m. Friday.

According to a preliminary arrest report, an Arkansas State Police trooper saw Bree driving a small pickup, weaving in and out of traffic. The trooper reportedly saw Bree and Jones begin to physically fight so he approached the vehicle.

The trooper said Bree kicked him in the groin, got back in his pickup and drove into oncoming traffic, eastbound in the westbound lane. Bree reportedly drove through a red light at Sunset and West End, striking two vehicles in the westbound lanes of Sunset.

The trooper, along with a resident, physically restrained Bree and Jones until Springdale officers arrived, according to the report. While speaking to witnesses, police reportedly learned the couple’s 2-year-old child was in the pickup and suffered a small laceration to the top of his head. Police said Jones suffered a large laceration to her forehead.

Both Jones and the child were taken to Northwest Medical Center-Springdale.

Jones was in the Washington County Detention Center on $2,500 bond Saturday, while Bree was being held on $3,500 bond.

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