Police arrested a Bella Vista man Thursday night after he reportedly stole his girlfriend’s car and sped down Dickson Street, nearly striking a police officer and two children during the Bikes, Blues & BBQ rally.
Ray Wesley Deaver, 23, of 9 Kendall Drive faces felony charges in connection with robbery, aggravated assault and fleeing.
Police said Deaver got into an argument with his girlfriend, Alexandra Lethiot, near Shipley Street and Spring Street just before 10:20 p.m. Thursday.
According to a preliminary arrest report, Deaver pushed Lethiot onto the street. She reportedly struck her head and scraped her wrist on rocks near the curb. Police said Deaver then stole Lethiot’s car and sped toward Dickson Street.
Officers tried to stop Deaver for speeding near Spring Street, but he refused to stop, police said.
Police said Deaver drove toward a Lowell officer and two girls, nearly striking them.
Police eventually caught Deaver and transported him to Washington Regional Medical Center to be treated for a scrape on his head. He refused medical treatment and had to be subdued by hospital staff, police said. He hadn’t been booked into the Washington County Detention Center as of 11:30 a.m. Friday.
Police Sgt. Craig Stout said Deaver was among eight people arrested during the Bikes, Blues & BBQ rally on Thursday night.
The arrests mainly consisted of Northwest Arkansas residents and involved minor charges including, public intoxication, littering, disorderly conduct, violation of the city noise ordinance and driving while intoxicated.
Stout said there was one motorcycle accident Thursday night near Spring Street and College Avenue, but no major injuries were reported.
Another accident was reported on Interstate 540, near Olive Street in Springdale about 11:30 a.m. Friday, but details weren’t immediately available.