A police pursuit in northeastern Arkansas that reached about 210 km/h ended with the SUV stopped by spike strips and an arrest, authorities say — but social media posts and local reaction are now focusing on the treatment of a rear-seat passenger who says he was struck after the vehicle was secured.
What happened
According to social media posts summarizing the incident, the chase took place on Aug. 19 on Arkansas Route 18 near Blytheville. Officer Theodore Henderson led the pursuit of the SUV, which was reported to be traveling at approximately 210 km/h. The vehicle was stopped after Henderson deployed spike strips and used tactical maneuvers to bring it to a halt.
Law enforcement detained the driver, identified in posts as Adonerus Johnson, who was subdued with a stun device and later charged with hit-and-run and driving under the influence, according to the online summary.
Passenger alleges force
Video and posts circulating on X (formerly Twitter) allege that a rear-seat passenger, identified as Tedrick Washington — described in those posts as a former Division I college basketball player — was forcibly removed from the vehicle by his dreadlocks and struck twice by an officer after he allegedly resisted commands.
The posts say Washington faces charges but is also considering legal action over the way he was handled. Online reactions have questioned why such force appeared to be used against a passenger who was not driving and whether officers followed appropriate protocols once the vehicle was immobilized.
- Date: Aug. 19 (incident)
- Location: Route 18 near Blytheville, Arkansas
- Officer involved: Theodore Henderson (named in social posts)
- Driver: Adonerus Johnson — charged with hit-and-run and DUI
- Passenger: Tedrick Washington — alleges excessive force; faces unspecified charges and considering legal action
Official records and limits of current reporting
The account available to WE NEWS is derived from social media posts summarizing the episode and has not been corroborated by a police report released to the public. The posts note the deployment of spike strips, the use of a stun device on the driver and the resulting charges against him. They also include video and eyewitness commentary that raise questions about the treatment of the passenger after the vehicle stopped.
At this stage, there has been no public statement from the Blytheville Police Department or county law enforcement included in the material summarized on X. Because the reporting originates in social posts, details may evolve as official records, body-camera footage or department statements become available.
Community reaction and legal possibilities
Social media reaction to the material has focused on whether officers used unnecessary force against a non-driving passenger. The posts prompted calls for review and, in some comments, demands for release of body-camera or dash-camera footage to clarify what occurred during the final moments of the stop.
Those posts also indicate Washington faces charges related to the stop; they say he is weighing legal action over the alleged use of force. The extent and nature of his charges were not specified in the summaries circulating online.
| Element | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Speed reported | 210 km/h |
| Stopping method | Spike strips and tactical maneuvers |
| Driver status | Tased and charged (hit-and-run, DUI) |
| Passenger allegation | Pulled by dreadlocks; struck twice |
What to watch for next
Key developments to expect include release of any official police statement, booking records that clarify charges against the passenger, and potential civil action if Washington or his representatives pursue a complaint. If body-worn camera or patrol dash-camera footage is released, it may offer a definitive timeline and context for officers’ actions during and after the vehicle stop.
WE NEWS will seek comment from the Blytheville Police Department and other relevant agencies and will update this story as verifiable details become available.
Public-safety incidents that begin with high-speed pursuits often prompt scrutiny of police pursuit policies and the steps officers take to secure both drivers and passengers safely. The questions raised online following this stop echo broader, ongoing conversations about use-of-force practices in Arkansas and across the country.
