Arkansas man dies after he runs into patrol car while fleeing

Suspect was on foot, fleeing deputies

FORREST CITY -- A Forrest City man who ran into the side of a St. Francis County sheriff's car during a pursuit Friday has died from his injuries, Sheriff Bobby May said.

Derrick Long, 37, died Monday at Regional One Medical Center in Memphis. Long ran down a fenced driveway into Brown Avenue in Forrest City, where he hit a patrol car driven by Deputy James Melton.

Long suffered head injuries and was taken by medical helicopter to the Memphis hospital.

Deputies attempted to stop Long on Arkansas 1 about 10 p.m. Friday, May said.

Long fled and drove erratically, nearly striking a tractor-trailer and attempting to ram another deputy's car, May said. A dashboard camera in a deputy's vehicle showed Long throwing a powdered substance out of his vehicle's window.

May said Long's car became stuck in mud in a resident's yard and he ran from the vehicle.

Melton was driving about 15 mph along Brown Avenue in south Forrest City looking for Long when Long ran between the fences and into the right side of the deputy's car behind the headlight, May said.

Melton called an ambulance, which arrived within 6 minutes, May said.

"This is a very regrettable incident," the sheriff said. "When a police officer stops you, you need to obey. If [Long] had done this, he'd be in jail, but at least he'd be alive."

Long had several prior criminal offenses, including aggravated robbery and drug-related charges, the sheriff said. Long was clutching a plastic bag filled with 100 hydrocodone pills, May said.

Melton remained on duty, May said.

"I'm convinced our deputies did what they could do," May said. "It's obvious this was a tragic accident."

May requested the Arkansas State Police investigate the accident and reconstruct the event. He also asked for an autopsy of Long. Officers impounded Melton's car, which has a dent in the right side.

"We want to make sure everything is covered," May said.

State Desk on 06/02/2016

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