Trooper's Report:
On June 11, 2024, at approximately 8:10 AM, I, Trooper Chris Dunham, was notified by Troop C Dispatch of a vehicle pursuit
involving a stolen vehicle at the 17 mile-marker southbound in Missouri in excess of 100 miles per hour, and Missouri State
Highway Patrol was requesting assistance. The vehicle was described as a gray 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Dispatch also
relayed that spike strips were deployed in Missouri, disabling one of the vehicle’s tires. I responded to the 67 mile-marker and
set up spike strips utilizing the concrete barrier of the overpass as hard cover. Dispatch advised via radio that New Madrid
Police Department (Missouri) and Missouri State Highway Patrol terminated the pursuit at the state line.
Blytheville Police Department Officers were able to make visual contact with the vehicle at the 68 mile-marker. As the vehicle
approached the 67 mile-marker, I was able to positively identify it and I deployed spike strips at approximately 8:30 AM,
effectively on an additional two tires. I then got in my patrol vehicle, activated my emergency equipment, and gave chase to the
fleeing vehicle. I was able to catch up to the vehicle near the 66 mile-marker with a Blytheville Police Department unit pursuing
behind it. I took primary position in the pursuit as the vehicle began moving onto the shoulder of the roadway. At this time, the
vehicle’s tires began denigrating, causing rubber and debris to fly from the vehicle. The vehicle continued on the shoulder at
approximately 35 miles per hour with three of its tires deflated and damaged. The suspect still not show any signs of stopping.
Due to the risk to other traffic present, and an active work zone beginning at the 63 mile-marker, I attempted to move to the
vehicle’s right side to perform a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI). As I approached the vehicle’s right side, the driver moved to
the right in attempt to block the maneuver. I moved to the vehicle’s left side and performed a successful TVI on the fleeing
vehicle, causing the suspect to spin to the left into the cable barrier roadside and become disabled. As I turned around and took
a tactical position, units with the Blytheville Police Department were taking the driver, Steven McDaniel, into custody. The
vehicle was cleared and later inventoried before being towed.
The vehicle was later confirmed to be stolen out of Champaign, Illinois.
McDaniel was transported to the Mississippi County Sheriff's Office and charged with Fleeing-Felony, Theft by
Receiving, Reckless Driving, Driving on Suspended, Fail to Show Insurance, No Seatbelt, Defective Tires, Improper Lane
Usage, and Speeding.
Due to the incident taking place within the city limits of Blytheville, and the Blytheville Police
Departments assistance, Blytheville Police Department’s Sgt. John Nelson will assist in the arraignment of McDaniel.
