A Hot Springs man was arrested Sunday afternoon after he allegedly fled from Hot Springs police in a reportedly stolen truck, then fled again on foot after wrecking the vehicle into a concrete wall.
Justin Alan Gerarden, 23, who lists a Lorado Loop address, was taken into custody in the 700 block of South Street at around 3:30 p.m. Sunday and charged with theft by receiving, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, felony fleeing, punishable by up to 10 years, and misdemeanor counts of second-degree criminal mischief, driving while intoxicated, first offense, refusal to submit to a chemical test and fleeing on foot.
Gerarden was also cited for careless or prohibited driving, four counts of failure to yield or stop, driving left of center and driving on a suspended driver's license. He remained in custody Monday in lieu of bonds totaling $10,000 and is set to appear in Garland County District Court on Nov. 28.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Hot Springs police Cpl. Zac Rosten saw Gerarden driving a blue Ford F150 down Richard Street when he disregarded a stop sign at an intersection. When Rosten attempted a traffic stop, the truck reportedly picked up speed and fled.
Gerarden continued fleeing in an "extremely dangerous manner," swerving back and forth in the roadway at a high rate of speed. He disobeyed about four other stop signs, and passed vehicles over the double yellow line and forcing them off the roadway, the affidavit said.
The truck finally wrecked at the intersection of Summer and South Street, reportedly hitting a concrete wall after colliding with a crosswalk sign. Gerarden reportedly fled from the vehicle on foot, heading east on Noxon Street. He was apprehended in front of a residence in the 700 block of South Street.
Rosten noted Gerarden had a strong odor of intoxicants emitting from his person, slurred speech and appeared unsteady on his feet. When ask if he would complete a field sobriety test, Gerarden reportedly refused.
The truck, with an estimated value of $60,000, was determined to have been reported stolen Saturday from Oaklawn Gaming and Racing, 2705 Central Ave.
Local on 11/21/2017