RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — We have new Arkansas State Police video of a high-speed motorcycle pursuit through Russellville that reached 90 mph, involved several close calls with other vehicles and ended with the rider crashing into a patrol car before being arrested.
The August 17 chase led to the arrest of 21-year-old Muncci Brayden Stafford of Russellville, who was subsequently charged in Pope County Circuit Court with felony fleeing, first-degree criminal mischief and reckless driving.
The pursuit began around 8:40 a.m. when an Arkansas State Police trooper spotted a maroon Yamaha motorcycle traveling east on East Main Street without a license plate.
The motorcycle turned into Valley Park Centre, where the trooper positioned his patrol car to intercept the rider as he returned toward Main Street. Instead of stopping, Stafford allegedly turned back onto the roadway and accelerated away.
The motorcycle quickly reached 90 mph in a series of circles in East Russellville in a high-traffic area.
The pursuit finally ended near Arvest on North Elmira Avenue, where Stafford lost control and crashed.
Troopers blocked the motorcycle and took Stafford into custody without further incident.
After his arrest, Stafford reportedly told police he had been going through a difficult time following the death of his grandmother. When asked why he fled, Stafford said he had panicked.
Stafford suffered cuts during the incident and was evaluated by emergency medical personnel before being taken to Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center for additional evaluation. He was later transported to the Pope County Detention Center.
On September 2, prosecutors formally charged Stafford with felony fleeing in a vehicle under circumstances creating a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury, a Class C felony punishable by three to 10 years in prison.
He also faces first-degree criminal mischief involving damage of $1,000 or less, a Class A misdemeanor, and reckless driving, a Class B misdemeanor.
A judge initially set Stafford’s bond at $1,000 cash only. A receipt included in his court file shows the $1,000 was paid on August 19.
As part of his pretrial release conditions, Stafford was ordered not to operate a motor vehicle.
