BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. — Newly released police video shows an Arkansas State Police trooper breaking out a rear window, grabbing a back-seat passenger by the arm and dreadlocks, and punching him during an arrest that followed a high-speed chase through Mississippi County.
The Aug. 19 encounter began about 11:21 p.m. when Trooper Theodore “Teddy” Henderson clocked a 2023 Infiniti QX50 traveling 82 mph in a 60-mph zone near the Big Lake bridge on Arkansas 18. After Henderson activated his lights, the driver accelerated. Henderson reported speeds of 113 mph, then 130 mph, and said he reached more than 140 mph while trying to catch the SUV.
Blytheville officers laid spike strips near County Road 239. The Infiniti hit the strips, ran a red light at Arkansas 18 and Arkansas 151, and kept going with a deflating front tire. Henderson’s first tactical vehicle intervention missed. A second TVI shoved the SUV over a curb near North 16th and West Walnut streets and stopped it.
Police identified the driver as Adonerus Johnson, 25. Henderson said Johnson climbed from the front seat into the back and tried to get out a rear door. A Gosnell police corporal pointed a firearm at Johnson, then used a Taser after Johnson kept moving. Officers later booked Johnson on felony fleeing, first-offense DWI after a 0.17 breath test, reckless driving, resisting arrest, speeding, running a red light and other charges.
A front-seat passenger followed commands and was released without charges.
Henderson then focused on the rear passenger, 23-year-old Tedrick Washington. Video shows the trooper ordering Washington out, then breaking the rear driver’s-side window with a baton after Washington said he could not get out and did not crawl through the opening. Henderson grabbed Washington’s left wrist and a handful of his hair. According to Henderson’s report, Washington pulled away, braced against the door, then “postured up” as if preparing to strike. Henderson punched him once in the left side of the face.
Officers pulled Washington to the ground. Henderson reported that Washington tensed, pulled away and kept an arm under his head while they tried to handcuff him. Henderson punched him a second time in the left cheek. Another officer said Washington reached toward his waist and that Henderson used multiple closed-hand strikes. Washington was bleeding; EMS checked the occupants on scene. Records do not show a hospital transport.
Washington was charged with obstruction of governmental operations and resisting arrest.
Gosnell Police later found its corporal’s firearm display, Taser use and hands-on force justified under that department’s policy. Released Arkansas State Police records include Henderson’s detailed account but no separate administrative finding on whether his force complied with ASP policy, and no statement from Washington.
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