Trooper's Report:
On Saturday, August 10th, 2024, at approximately 6:34 PM, I, Trooper Middlecoff, responded to SH 158 to attempt to locate
and stolen Dodge Charger out of Memphis, TN. The Charger was listed in a BOLO the previous night after it was discovered
that the VIN plate had been swapped out, and the vehicle being registered in Arkansas under the new, false VIN.
After traveling westbound on SH 158 and not locating the vehicle, I sat stationary at the intersection of SH 158 and SH 77.
After approximately 10 minutes, I noticed a black Dodge Charger matching the description of the suspect vehicle turning
eastbound on SH 158. As the vehicle passed, I turned out behind the vehicle and noticed that the license plate matched the
stolen vehicle. I notified other troopers who were en route to the area to assist and decided to follow the suspect vehicle to
allow time for the other units responding to get closer.
As the suspect vehicle reached the intersection of SH 158 and SH 181, I activated my emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop.
The Charger immediately accelerated off at a high rate of speed, fleeing from me. I activated my siren and began to pursue the
suspect vehicle, eastbound on SH 158 towards Luxora.
The suspect vehicle quickly reached speeds of 160-miles per hour, pulling away from me. I continued to pursue the suspect
vehicle over Interstate 55, approaching US 61. The suspect ran the stop sign at the intersection of SH 158 and US 61, entering
Luxora. As the Charger crossed US 61, he lost control of his vehicle, traveling off the roadway to the right, striking a gas
electrical box and utility pole, causing the pole and wires to fall over the roadway. The suspect vehicle then reentered the
roadway briefly, crossing the railroad tracks, losing control once again. The suspect vehicle then began to overturn end over
end, leaving the roadway once again. As I was getting closer to the scene, I observed a large amount of smoke rolling into the
air. Once I caught up the vehicle, I observed the vehicle to be on fire and the suspect to be laying on his side to the south of
the vehicle, up against a residence.
The driver, identified as DeVandre James was taken into custody and medical aid was rendered until Pafford Ambulance
arrived on scene and took over. James was airlifted to Regional One Medical Center in Memphis, TN in serious condition.
An affidavit for arrest warrant will be competed for James’ arrest once he is released from the hospital.
