Arkansas State Police are investigating the death of a man who was arrested by the Cross County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday morning.
Arkansas State Police Public Information Officer Bill Sadler says that agents were requested by the prosecuting attorney’s office to investigate the incident. Sadler reportedly says Sheriff David West asked the state police to take over the investigation.
Authorities say that 41-year-old Jeffery Lueallen ran from deputies around 3:45 a.m., after they approached him along with another person in what is described as a field near Hwy. 42 and Hwy. 163, just west of the Birdeye area. The victim’s body has reportedly been sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine the cause and manner of death.
The Cross County prosecuting attorney will review the file once the investigation is complete to determine whether any criminal violations may have occurred during the incident.
State police have taken over the case and will continue the investigation by speaking to witnesses.
The names of the deputies involved have not been released.
