While out on bond on charges related to the vandalism of a cemetery, an Arkansas man who appeared to be "huffing" while driving led deputies on a 25-mile chase that ended Wednesday with his vehicle in the river, authorities said.
The Craighead County sheriff's office said it received a call about noon regarding an intoxicated driver. When deputies located the vehicle, its driver, 57-year-old David Allen Wooldridge, appeared to be "huffing" paint or compressed air, the sheriff's office said.
Wooldridge, who was reportedly released on on $1,500 bond about 4:30 p.m. Monday after being arrested on a first-degree criminal mischief charge in the vandalism of a Bono cemetery, failed to yield when deputies tried to pull him over, authorities said.
The deputies chased Wooldridge on Arkansas 91 and into Jonesboro and then Greene County in a pursuit the sheriff's office said totaled about 25 miles.
The chase ended when the 57-year-old drove his vehicle into the Cache River near the county line. Arkansas State Police were called to the scene for assistance, spokesman Liz Chapman said.
The sheriff's office said Wooldridge was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries and will be arrested upon his release. Authorities could not specify his charges Wednesday afternoon but said no bail will be set.
Wooldridge also faces multiple charges in a two-vehicle crash Sept. 13 that police said he caused while inhaling intoxicants. A witness told police that he appeared to be “holding a can up to his face” and “huffing” its contents.
Arkansas Online reporter Brandon Riddle contributed to this story.
