VIDEO: Mercedes chase concludes in head-on collision with semi on Interstate 55
A recent video documented a dramatic pursuit that culminated in a Mercedes-Benz driving against traffic on Interstate 55 and colliding head-on with a semi, according to an Arkansas State Police report. The events unfolded on June 17 around 7:45 a.m. when Trooper Collier Wright spotted a black Mercedes-Benz C300 heading eastbound on Interstate 40 near the 265-mile marker. The vehicle, with a Mississippi license plate that failed to yield any information upon a check, caught the trooper’s attention.
After initiating a traffic stop at the 272-mile marker, Trooper Wright observed the driver’s peculiar behavior, including a slow response to pulling over, keeping his foot on the brake, and leaving the vehicle in gear, indicating a potential intent to flee. A scene inside the car revealed an open box of gas station chicken, crumbs around the driver’s mouth, and the driver wiping his hands with a napkin. The driver, identified as Ronnie Hudson, was uncooperative initially but eventually handed over his driver’s license, lacking proof of registration and insurance. Hudson’s claim that the registration was not available in the car was backed up by a woman over the phone.
Upon returning to his patrol car to retrieve his phone for documenting the vehicle identification number, Trooper Wright discovered a Ruger LC9s pistol with distinct features on the shoulder of the road. This discovery led to a felony traffic stop. However, as the trooper moved towards the car, the Mercedes fled the scene, sparking a high-speed pursuit that peaked at over 130 mph. The Mercedes dangerously maneuvered through traffic, including passing on shoulders, before taking an exit and merging onto I-55 northbound. During the chase, the trooper faced challenging conditions preventing him from intervening tactically, including a pedestrian walking in proximity to the roadway.
Despite efforts to evade arrest by exiting at high speeds onto a service road and managing to avoid a collision with an SUV, the Mercedes eventually lost control and ended up facing the wrong direction on Interstate 55. The subsequent attempt to retreat by driving against traffic resulted in a head-on collision with a semi, which in turn impacted Sgt. Steve Roberts’ patrol vehicle. The crash rendered all three vehicles inoperable, with Hudson taken into custody without further resistance.
After complaining of chest pain post-crash, Hudson was transported to Crittenden Baptist Hospital for evaluation before being detained at Crittenden County Jail. Troopers later recovered the firearm used by Hudson near the initial stop location, estimating damages from the incident at $20,000. Charges listed in the report include reckless driving leading to physical injury, criminal mischief, littering on a highway, aggravated assault, felony fleeing by vehicle posing a danger of death, possession of firearms by restricted individuals, inadequate insurance during an accident, property misuse, and interfering with physical evidence.