LR man gets 95 years in prison for 2023 escape incident in Saline County | News

Antonio Reid II, 38, of Little Rock, was sentenced Wednesday by Division 2 Circuit Court Judge Josh Farmer on charges related to a fleeing incident that began on Interstate 30 and continued at a high rate of speed through downtown Benton.

Reid pleaded guilty before sentencing in Benton on Wednesday to fleeing with a vehicle causing serious bodily injury, leaving the scene of an accident causing serious bodily injury and leaving the scene of an accident causing property damage.

“Our juries and judges have consistently sentenced fugitives to long prison terms,” ​​said prosecutor Chris Walton. “People who choose to flee the law put themselves, their passengers and all other road users in extreme danger.”

On April 5, 2023, Arkansas State Police Trooper Mason Efurd attempted to stop a black Hyundai Santa Fe for reckless driving in a construction zone, according to a press release issued Thursday by the Saline County District Attorney’s Office.

Efurd spotted the car in the eastbound lanes of I-30. The Hyundai exited the interstate at South Street and accelerated there. The car passed a truck by driving on the right shoulder and then crossed the double yellow line to the left of a fire truck. Heading toward downtown Benton, the car passed a number of vehicles, disregarded traffic lights and accelerated to 80 to 90 mph on Market Street.

Near the tracks, the car crashed into two trucks, causing the second truck to overturn and partially rest on the tracks, the press release said. Shortly after the accident, the crossing’s traffic lights and bells began to signal an approaching train.

The driver of the Santa Fe fled on foot, leaving both the occupants of the trucks and his own passenger to fend for themselves. Officers managed to rescue the occupants of the second truck before the train arrived. The train passed on the next track, and the driver suffered injuries to his head and left and right arms and was taken to the hospital. The other victims had minor injuries, and two of the victims testified about their experiences that day.

Reid testified during sentencing that he regretted his actions, explaining that he had been addicted to drugs for half his life and that he had been taking methamphetamine for two weeks at the time of his escape. Reid said that the drugs made him think the police were trying to hurt him and that he would have stopped if he had known better.

Reid admitted under cross-examination that he was a parole fugitive at the time of the escape and accidents. Assistant District Attorney Brian Clary argued for the maximum possible sentence, pointing out that the escape and accidents occurred in the middle of the day on Wednesday, when downtown Benton was busy with car and pedestrian traffic in the square and surrounding areas.

Judge Farmer took into account Reid’s convictions for robbery, domestic violence and a number of drug offenses, including trafficking in methamphetamine.

Despite the long prison sentence, Reid could be eligible for parole in 15 years, the press release states.

“If you see lights in your rearview mirror, pull over,” Walton said. “If you don’t want to be pulled over in the first place, follow the traffic laws that are designed to keep all drivers safe. Fortunately, others were not seriously injured as a result of Reid’s actions.”