An Arkansas State Police officer was fired after mistakenly hitting an innocent driver's GMC Yukon during a high-speed chase. The officer failed to distinguish the GMC from the suspect's fleeing Buick Envista, using a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver on the wrong vehicle.

The pursuit began around 11:45 on 18/1 in Arkansas. An officer spotted a white Buick Envista traveling at 92 mph (148 km/h) in a 60 mph (96 km/h) zone on I-630. After stopping the vehicle, the officer identified the driver as Johnny Williams, 38, from Little Rock.

The officer detected a strong odor, suspected to be illicit substances, and confirmed Williams was driving with a suspended license. When asked to exit his vehicle, Williams refused and fled, initiating the chase. The officer pursued, reporting the situation to dispatch, but lost sight of the Buick.

Dashcam video showed the Buick speeding up and moving into the far left lane next to the median. Meanwhile, the police car accelerated in pursuit, following a GMC Yukon in the second lane from the right. The GMC driver, appearing confused, moved into the far right lane and signaled a right turn. At that moment, the officer executed a PIT maneuver, striking the side of the GMC.

When asked to exit the GMC, a woman emerged. The officer immediately admitted the error. The occupants of the vehicle were not injured.

According to the Arkansas Department of Public Safety, the officer, who was hired in 10/2024 and still within their probationary period, was reassigned to administrative duties immediately after the incident. They were officially terminated on the morning of 21/1.

A state police representative stated that the GMC owner's family would be compensated for damages. Johnny Williams surrendered to police a few days later. This incident marks the second time an Arkansas state police officer has used a PIT maneuver on an innocent driver. The previous event occurred in 2023, and the officer involved retired shortly thereafter.