Arkansas State Police pursuit in Fort Smith leads to one death, one arrest

FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A pursuit in Fort Smith on Saturday evening ended in one death and one arrest, according to Arkansas State Police.

ASP said around 6 p.m., Kevin Swafford, 23, of Paris, was driving a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am at a high rate of speed and ran a red light at the intersection of Zero Street and 31st Street.

As Swafford ran the light, a collision involving three other vehicles occurred. Swafford was reportedly fleeing from an ASP trooper who tried to stop him because his vehicle didn't have a license plate.

During the pursuit, Swafford "disregarded" multiple traffic lights and traveled at a "high rate of speed in heavy traffic," ASP said in the news release.

Swafford and his passenger, Calvin Eubanks, 25, of Fort Smith, were ejected from the vehicle. Eubanks was pronounced dead at the scene.

Swafford was taken to a nearby hospital for minor injuries and was later brought to the Sebastian County Detention Center.

Two of the drivers in the other vehicles were not injured. The third was taken to a nearby hospital for minor injuries.

Swafford is facing a felony fleeing charge and being held without bond, however, ASP said additional charges are pending. He is set to appear in court on November 21.

The Fort Smith Police Department is investigating the crash and ASP is doing an internal review of the pursuit.

Eubank's body will be taken to the Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine a cause of death.