High speed chase on Hwy 5 leads to felony charges for driver

A high-speed chase on Highway 5 South Wednesday, Nov. 26, ended in a rollover crash and multiple charges for 19-year-old Gary Wayne Sterling II of Missouri. The pursuit began after Sterling’s vehicle was observed with a headlight out, traveling at speeds up to 120 mph and passing another car on a double yellow line.
Sterling was ejected from the vehicle during the crash near Whispering Forest Drive and suffered serious injuries, including a broken arm, a broken pinky, and multiple fractures in his left hand. Alcohol was found in the vehicle, and a portable breath test showed a blood alcohol level of 0.05. Sterling told authorities that his accelerator had gotten stuck and he had to use his emergency brake to stop the vehicle.

Sterling faces charges including fleeing, which is a felony, speeding more than 15 mph over the limit, reckless driving, failure to maintain control, DUI, open container, no seatbelt, and defective headlamp. Bond was set at $5,000.

A blood sample was collected and submitted to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for toxicology analysis. Sterling was not immediately arrested due to the severity of his injuries, and an affidavit for his arrest will be issued following his hospital treatment.

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