Brookland, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – May 30, 2024 – The Craighead County Sheriff’s Office released the report today about the violent car crash on Highway 49 in Brookland on Wednesday, May 29.
Jonesboro police was called to a Disturbance in Progress at IHOP around noon. They were advised that a man pulled a gun on a woman and told her that he was going to kill her.
The victim allegedly wrestled the gun away from him before he left in a red Dodge Challenger. She placed the weapon on the counter inside the restaurant and ran to the back of the store to hide.
A BOLO (be on the lookout) was placed on the vehicle so surrounding agencies would know to look for it in their areas.
Deputy Cody Ladner, heard the disturbance in progress call at IHOP in Jonesboro over the radio. His narrative in the CCSO report reads as follows:
“I was informed that a white male threatened to kill a female with a firearm and left the scene possibly headed toward Paragould in a red Dodge Challenger, Ladner wrote in his report. “As I traveled south on Highway 49, I observed a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle traveling northbound on Highway 49 near CR 928.
“Once I confirmed the vehicle was the suspect vehicle through dispatch, I was also informed that JPD would have Aggravated Assault and Terroristic Threatening Charges on the male driver. I then requested a Brookland Police Officer to assist before I conducted a high-risk traffic stop on the vehicle. Once Officer Josh Miller advised that he was in the area, I activated the emergency lights on my patrol vehicle and attempted to conduct the high-risk traffic stop at highway 49 and school Street in Brookland.
“Once I attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver accelerated quickly and continued northbound on Highway 49 reaching speeds over 100 mph. I informed dispatch that I was in pursuit and activated the audible siren in my patrol vehicle. The Challenger continued northbound while passing other vehicles for several miles. As we approached Highway 49 and CR 761 at speeds over 100 mph, the driver of the Challenger appeared to intentionally swerve in front of a commercial truck that was traveling southbound on Highway 49 causing a violent collision. The Challenger came to a stop several hundred yards after the impact and almost struck my patrol vehicle. Officer Miller and I then exited our patrol vehicles and began instructing the driver to exit.
“A short time later, I observed flames coming from the suspect vehicle with the driver still inside. Officer Miller and I then quickly approached the vehicle in fear for the safety of the suspect. I then used a fire extinguisher to stop the fire and observed a white male in the driver seat that appeared to be badly injured. Officers began to render aid to the suspect until advanced medical arrived. The suspect was then identified as Calvin Billips, 61, of Paragould. Once EMS arrived, Mr. Billips was removed from the vehicle and transported to Regional One Health (in Memphis) by Survival Flight. The driver of the commercial truck was not injured and was identified as Larry Gilliland. Arkansas State Police conducted an accident report and the Jonesboro Police department conducted an initial incident report.”
Several agencies arrived on scene including Jonesboro Police, Brookland Police, Brookland Fire, Craighead County SO, Greene County SO, and Arkansas State Police.
The semi truck driver also involved in the wreck was unharmed.
The roadway was closed for nearly two hours.
