BEE BRANCH, AR — A 23-year-old Memphis man was killed Wednesday morning, June 11, following a high-speed police chase that ended in a violent crash in Van Buren County. Arkansas State Police have identified the man as Joey Vincent Simmons II, who was being pursued in connection with recent armed robberies.
According to investigators, Simmons was the subject of a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) alert tied to convenience store robberies in Conway and Damascus. Around 7:45 a.m., state troopers spotted Simmons driving a Toyota Camry northbound on U.S. Highway 65 near Bee Branch. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, Simmons fled, sparking a dangerous pursuit.
During the chase, authorities say Simmons reached speeds over 100 miles per hour, passed other vehicles on the right shoulder, and swerved into oncoming traffic, putting multiple lives at risk. In a startling escalation, Simmons reportedly fired a weapon at pursuing troopers. No law enforcement officers were injured, and state police confirmed they did not return fire at any point during the incident.
The pursuit came to a tragic end when Simmons lost control of the vehicle. The Camry left the roadway and crashed into a wooded area, where Simmons was ejected from the vehicle due to the impact. Emergency personnel responded quickly, but Simmons was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for an autopsy to determine the official cause of death.
Arkansas State Police emphasized that no other injuries were reported in the incident, and there is no indication that any other suspects were involved. The stretch of U.S. Highway 65 where the crash occurred was temporarily closed while investigators processed the scene and collected evidence.
The investigation into both the fatal crash and the prior armed robbery cases remains ongoing. Authorities have not disclosed further information about the robberies Simmons was linked to but confirmed he was their primary suspect. They are urging anyone with additional information to come forward.
This incident has raised concerns about public safety and the risks officers face during high-speed pursuits. Law enforcement officials say the outcome, while tragic, could have been even more devastating had other motorists been caught in the path of the chase.