One lane Highway 12 E, near the bridge at Heritage Bay Road near Rogers was closed due to the police investigation.
At approximately 2:09 a.m. officers involved in a vehicle pursuit said the driver of a grey 1993 grey Toyota pickup they had been following pulled over at the north end of Lake Atlanta Park near the Highway 12 entrance, according to Rogers Police.
When officers attempted to make contact Rogers Police said the driver fled the scene driving at speeds of 10-50 mph, according to a Rogers Police Dept. news release.
The pursuit continued just east of the Highway 12 Bridge near Heritage Bay Road where police said the vehicle stopped in the middle of the road.
When the vehicle stopped Rogers Police said officers reported hearing a gun shot from within the vehicle and returned fire. The vehicle then rolled off the road and came to a stop near the shoulder, according to Rogers Police.
When officers approached the vehicle they said the driver was found to have an apparent self-inflicted, fatal, gun shot wound.
The Rogers Police Department, Benton County Sheriff’s Officer, and Arkansas State Police are conducting an investigation into the incident at this time.
One lane of Highway 12 East at the bridge near Heritage Bay Rd. is expected to be shutdown through Friday morning. Rogers Police say drivers taking this route should expect delays.