Jennette, Ark - Tragedy struck on the evening of April 1, 2024, when an attempt to evade law enforcement ended in a fatal crash near Jennette, Arkansas. The incident unfolded as an Arkansas State Trooper initiated a routine traffic stop on Interstate 40, near Exit 265 in Crittenden County. The driver, identified as Courtney Ridgeway, 28, of Smyrna, Tennessee, opted to flee rather than comply with the officer's instructions.

A high-speed pursuit ensued, with Ridgeway's vehicle reaching speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour along Bing’s Store Road. However, the attempt to evade law enforcement took a tragic turn when Ridgeway lost control of her vehicle on the gravel road, resulting in a collision with a ditch.Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but it was too late. The Crittenden County Coroner pronounced Ridgeway deceased at approximately 10:42 p.m.

Two passengers in the vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the crash.In the aftermath of the incident, Colonel Mike Hagar of the Arkansas State Police emphasized the dangers of fleeing from law enforcement. "This incident underscores why Arkansas State Police has been cautioning the public for months about the dangers of fleeing from law enforcement," said Hagar. "Fleeing is reckless and has serious consequences. When you see blue lights in your rearview mirror, be smart. Pull over."

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