Man wanted for robberies dies after chase with Arkansas State Police
A Memphis man wanted in connection with robberies in Arkansas has died following a high-speed chase with ASP.
BEE BRANCH, Ark. — Arkansas State Police (ASP) are now investigating a deadly incident involving a suspect fleeing from troopers along an Arkansas highway.
According to reports, 23-year-old Joey Vincent Simmons II of Memphis was wanted for his involvement in several armed robberies of convenience stores in both Conway and Damascus.
On June 11, just before 8:00 a.m., troopers with ASP found the suspect’s vehicle traveling along U.S. Highway 65 south of Bee Branch.
A pursuit quickly began between Simmons and the police. He was said to have been driving at over 100 mph and headed into oncoming traffic.
Police say that during the pursuit, Simmons fired his weapon from the vehicle toward a trooper and then lost control of the vehicle. This caused him to leave the road and head into a wooded area, where he was thrown from the vehicle.
Simmons was pronounced dead at the scene by the Van Buren County coroner.
Officials confirmed that no troopers were injured as a result of the incident, and no officers fired a weapon at any point.
The body has since been taken to the Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine the exact cause of death.