Police Arrest Hit-And-Run Suspect After Chase, Struggle

Police early Sunday arrested hit-and-run suspect Robert Avery, 40, after a chase that began in Springdale and ended in a brief struggle with officers in Fayetteville at the Village Inn, according to a news release from the Springdale Police Department.

He was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated and other violations, police said.

The incident began when Springdale police responded about 12:25 a.m. to a hit-and-run accident at Don Tyson Boulevard and Carley Road, according to the release.

While officers were responding to the call, a man later identified as Avery rammed his 1980 Ford pickup truck into the victim’s vehicle several times, then fled in his truck, the release states.

Officers noticed Avery still driving his vehicle a short distance from the scene and attempted to stop him, but he accelerated, leading police on a chase.  The pursuit, reaching speeds of 78 mph, went north on Carley Road, east on Sunset Avenue, then south on South Thompson Street. During the chase, he drove erratically with the truck’s lights off, the release states.

Avery pulled into the parking lot of the Village Inn at 3364 N. College Ave., where he was arrested after a brief struggle with officers, the release states.  

Officers said they learned after the arrest that Avery had been involved in a second hit-and-run accident. He was arrested on charges of aggravated assault; leaving the scene of an accident; fleeing; driving while intoxicated; refusal to submit; reckless driving; and various traffic violations, the release states. He also was charged with parole violations.  

 The pursuit resulted in no injures or accidents, police said.