Deputy and suspect suffer hypothermia after suspect flees into lake

LITTLE ROCK, AR – A deputy who chased a fleeing suspect into a lake in near freezing temperatures has to be taken to the emergency room for hypothermia after making his arrest.

The Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office says Deputy Jonathan Parks was in the middle of a traffic stop at Foothills Drive and Vine Road, checking passenger information. One of the passengers, Ricky Rashad McClure, 21, was wanted for probation revocation. When the deputy returned to the car, McClure took off running into Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir, according to the sheriff’s office.

Parks chased McClure into the water, and after a 5 minute struggle, was able to handcuff McClure. The sheriff’s office says Parks then hoisted McClure onto his shoulder and carried him out of the water to the shore, where both men collapsed.

Another deputy arrived on scene to call first responders. Parks and McClure were taken to Conway Regional Medical Center, where they were treated for hypothermia and released.

McClure will be charged with fleeing and probation revocation.