FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT

Alicia Dorn

Communications Director/Public Information Officer

Office: 870-541-5351/Cell: 870-329-5638

Email: alicia.dorn@jeffcoso.org

JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SEARCHING FOR SUSPECT WHO FLED IN A HIGH-SPEED CHASE: Jefferson County, AR - September 2, 2020 - At approximately 1:37 p.m., a Jefferson County Deputy conducted a traffic stop in the area of U.S. 270 and Hardin Reed Rd. During the traffic stop, a white SUV that was not involved in the traffic stop, approached the deputy and asked him for his name and badge number. Shortly after, the driver ran into the deputy with their vehicle, dragging him a short distance.

The deputy gained the strength to pick himself up, get back into his patrol vehicle, and pursue the SUV, which was occupied by two passengers. The pursuit ended on Pony Trail.

The driver of the vehicle was 28-year-old white female, Amber Thornton, who is in custody.

During the pursuit, the passenger, 32-year-old white male, Andrew Southerland, managed to exit the vehicle and run into a nearby wooded area.

The deputy is in stable condition and has been transported to Jefferson Regional Medical Center.

If you have information regarding the whereabouts of Stephan Andrew Southerland, please immediately notify Investigator Kaylon McDaniel of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division at 870-541-5496.

 

Amber Thornton

Amber Thornton and Stephen Southerland