Pictured left to right; Mervin Sanders and Megan Bean. Photos courtesy of the Independence County Sheriff’s Department.
Overnight Sunday, a routine traffic stop turned into a pursuit that lasted almost half an hour.
Detective Zachary Bailey was on routine patrol near South Fork Road and Highway 167 when he observed a Ford Escape traveling south on 167 with a driver’s side brake light not working.
Bailey tried to pull the vehicle over, but it sped up, initiating a chase. The chase traveled South Fork Road, Allen Chapel Road, Newport Road, Camp Tahkodah Road, Kyler Road, Floral Road, Highway 167, and a dirt logging road.
The logging trail was where the vehicle slowed while the male passenger fled on foot. Deputy Hutton Grace caught him and took Mervin Taylor Sanders, 42, into custody.
Chief Deputy Sheriff of Independence County Aaron Moody found the vehicle and took the driver, Megan Nicole Bean, 30, into custody.
Bean was issued a criminal citation for driving with a suspended license, fleeing, reckless driving, failure to pay registration fees, fictitious license plate, no proof of liability insurance, and defective tail lamp.
Sanders was issued a criminal citation for fleeing on foot. Both are set to appear in District Court on Nov. 17. Both also had active warrants with Independence County. Those warrants were served to the pair at the county jail.
Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather every weekday morning and afternoon from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5.
