Florida Truck Driver Arrested After Pursuit, Crashes Involving Police Units in Hope

A 29-year-old Florida truck driver was arrested Monday after allegedly ramming two law enforcement vehicles during a pursuit that began near Benton and continued along Interstate 30 and through the streets of Hope.

According to the Hempstead County jail roster and Arkansas State Police radio traffic, Arkansas Highway Police attempted to stop a white Peterbilt tractor-trailer traveling westbound on I-30 near Benton around 9:30 a.m. The driver allegedly refused to stop, prompting a pursuit that continued for more than an hour.

Around 10:37 a.m., an officer spotted the truck east of Hope. During the pursuit, the tractor-trailer allegedly struck an Arkansas Highway Police unit on an exit ramp into Hope, traveled through town, then struck an Arkansas State Police unit before returning to I-30.

Troopers continued pursuing the truck, reportedly deploying spike strips and shooting out a tire. Despite the damage, the semi continued at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour before officers brought it to a stop near mile marker 37.

The driver, identified as Victor Joel Colon of Punta Gorda, Florida, was booked into the Hempstead County Detention Center at 12:07 p.m. He faces three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, along with charges of fleeing, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

No bond amount was listed on the jail roster.