New details in chase and falling death

Suspects facing multiple charges in fatal incident

By JOHN RECH

news@theeveningtimes.com

West Memphis police provided details in the February 16 vehicle pursuit that led to two arrests and the falling death of a third suspect. The police responded to a FOIA request by the Evening Times. Police received a ping on a stolen Ford Explorer out of Mississippi at the corner of Missouri Street and Shopping Way. When police arrived to investigate the vehicle had been driven off. An officer expanded the search area and picked up a new location, the BP gas station and connivence store in the curve at 906 Ingram Blvd. As police approached the vehicle sped off and a chase followed.

The suspect vehicle traveled northwest and tore through the grass and the next-door hotel. One officer got in front of the Explorer to slow the suspects as it went up the on ramp onto Interstate 40. The Ford exited and then went back on Interstate ramps at MLK. Other officers joined the pursuit and boxed in the vehicle. The Explorer hit a patrol vehicle and crashed into the divider wall head on before spinning out.

The driver, David Joesph Savinell, 38, fled on foot across west bound lanes and officers witnessed him jump off a bridge about 100 yards

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east of Robinson Road. Police summoned EMS/rescue. West Memphis EMS responded and called for the coroner. Crittenden County Sheriff Officers found a loaded 9mm Taurus handgun near the body. Meanwhile, officers secured the two remaining suspects in the car, Michael Stewart, 31, and Austin Cooper, 28.

In the stolen vehicle police found burglary tools including a pair of reciprocating saws, pieced upped catalytic converter and an electric meter from a house. Evidence found included several stolen credit and debit cards. The vehicle search tuned up a backpack containing 11 used syringes, and half a gram of methamphetamine. Authorities transported the pair to Baptist Memorial Hospital Crittenden for treatment. Police background checks found Stewart had an active warrant for failure to appear in DeSoto County court on a drug offense.

Arkansas State Police made the crash scene and had the stolen explorer towed.

Stewart and Cooper were booked on a litany of felonies. Charges issued in connection to the case included: Theft by Receiving Greater Than $5,000 But Less Than $20,000, Fleeing, Reckless Driving, Possession of Meth and Drug Paraphernalia, Possessing Instruments of Crime, and Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms.