A police pursuit that began Friday night following reports of gunfire ended in a fatal crash just before midnight, authorities said.
According to the Camden Police Department, officers were dispatched at approximately 10:26 p.m. on June 20 to 675 Lincoln Center in response to a report of shots fired. A witness provided officers with a description of a vehicle believed to be involved.
Police soon located a 2017 Kia Forte matching the description and attempted a traffic stop as it was leaving Lincoln Center. The vehicle fled west on State Highway 24 at a high rate of speed, prompting a police pursuit. Officers lost sight of the vehicle near the 2500 block of Hwy 24 and called off the pursuit.
At approximately 11:53 p.m., the vehicle crashed near 3177 Hwy 24 after exiting the roadway to the left and striking a tree. The Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene. Authorities confirmed that the wrecked vehicle was the same one involved in the earlier pursuit.
18-year-old Alacia Renee Cruz-Dudley of Camden was identified as the passenger in the car and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Robert Utsey, 18, also of Camden, sustained injuries and was transported to Ouachita County Medical Center for treatment.
Police noted that weather conditions were clear and the road was dry at the time of the crash.
The initial shooting incident at Lincoln Center remains under investigation by the Camden Police Department. The Arkansas State Police is leading the investigation into the crash.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact the Camden Police Department at 870-836-5755. Authorities say additional details will be released as they become available.
