The Baxter County (Ark.) Sheriff’s Office and the Ozark County Sheriff’s (Mo.) was involved in the pursuit of a Kawasaki Ninja racing-type motorcycle Monday evening, July 27th. At approximately 7:57 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office was notified that a Gassville Police Department officer was in pursuit of a motorcycle on U. S. Highway 62 West that was heading East bound toward Mountain Home from Gassville.
Baxter Co.Deputy Austin Morrison was on U. S. Hwy 62 West near the ASUMH building, and he observed the motorcycle pass by him at very high speed. Deputy Morrison pulled behind the motorcycle to pursue, and he then noticed other police vehicles coming up behind him. The motorcycle continued into Mountain Home with Deputy Morrison and officers from other agencies pursuing. The motorcycle went East on U. S. Hwy 62 Business through Mountain Home, then turned North on Cardinal Drive to Arkansas Avenue, then West on Arkansas Avenue at very high speed to State Highway 201 North.
The pursuit then continued North bound on State Highway 201 North out of Mountain Home to the Missouri state line where Arkansas State Highway 201 North becomes Missouri State Highway J. The pursuit crossed over into Missouri. Several miles into Missouri a bridge on Highway J is being replaced, and the highway is closed at that point. The motorcycle maneuvered through various roadway barriers until reaching the unfinished bridge area and could not proceed further. At this point, the operator of the motorcycle was taken into custody and arrested at approximately 8:14 PM. The operator was identified as 19 year old Noah Lee Lawhead of Mountain Home. During this pursuit, speeds of up to 115 miles per hour were recorded.
When authorities from the Ozark County Sheriff’s Office arrived, Lawhead agreed to waive extradition proceedings. He was taken first to the Ozark County Jail and was then returned to Baxter County. He was taken to the Baxter County Detention Center and was incarcerated on charges of:
Fleeing in Vehicle – Felony
Reckless Driving – Misdemeanor
Speeding – Misdemeanor
Running Red Lights (5 counts) – Misdemeanors
Running Stop Signs (2 counts) – Misdemeanors
Failure to Signal Turns (3 counts) – Misdemeanors
Improper Lane Change – Misdemeanor
No Liability Insurance – Misdemeanor
Lawhead is being held in lieu of $15,000 bond on these charges, and he will appear before the Circuit Court to answer on August 6th.
In addition to the Sheriff’s Office, the Gassville and Mountain Home Police Departments were involved in the pursuit at various points.
