Underage Drinkers Lead Police on Chase in Bentonville

Scott Morrow

Police said they arrested three Bentonville residents for underage drinking and other charges after a violent car chase early Saturday morning that drew in other law enforcement agencies.

About 1:30 a.m., Bentonville police tried to stop a Dodge pickup for traffic violations, but it sped off, according to a police news release. The chase went north toward Pea Ridge, and at one point, the driver pulled off the roadway and turned off the headlights, trying to shake officers.

Police lost sight of the pickup temporarily, then the chase started again. Finally, the pickup hit a tree, sped backwards in reverse and struck a police car, the news release says.

The pickup driver, Ethan Strickland, 20, was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, felony fleeing, criminal mischief and being a minor in possession of alcohol.

Makayla Kalagias, 19, and Scott Morrow, 20, each face charges of being accomplices to aggravated assault, criminal mischief and being minors in possession.