New details released on man accused of assaulting ASP trooper on Interstate 49 in Rogers

New Details Emerge in Case of Man Accused of Assaulting ASP Trooper on Interstate 49 in Rogers

An Arkansas State Police (ASP) trooper initiated a traffic stop on July 27 after a vehicle was observed exceeding 114 mph on Interstate 49. The driver, Angel Zapet-Alvarado, 26, refused to stop, prompting the trooper to activate her siren. Eventually, Zapet-Alvarado pulled over but refused to exit his vehicle, leading to a confrontation.

The trooper attempted to remove Zapet-Alvarado from the vehicle, which escalated into a physical struggle. Zapet-Alvarado allegedly seized the trooper’s Taser and hurled it into oncoming traffic. The trooper called for assistance and fired a shot that narrowly missed him, grazing his right ear above his temple.

A second officer arrived on the scene, and together they managed to subdue and apprehend Zapet-Alvarado. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries before being taken into custody. Zapet-Alvarado is currently held on a 0,000 bond at the Benton County Detention Center, facing multiple charges including second-degree battery, resisting arrest, reckless driving, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, and driving without a license.

ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division is leading the investigation into the incident. The case will be presented to the prosecuting attorney to determine whether the use of deadly force was consistent with Arkansas law.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Col. Mike Hagar have both commented on the incident, praising the bravery of the trooper and the civilian who assisted her during the altercation. Notably, Col. Hagar highlighted the illegal immigration status of the suspect, citing it as a sign of lawlessness that will not be tolerated in the state.

  • Angel Zapet-Alvarado, 26, is a Guatemalan national.
  • The incident occurred on July 27, around 7:43 p.m., near mile marker 82 on Interstate 49.
  • The trooper involved was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *