Man arrested in July Arkansas State Police incident on Interstate 49 pleads guilty

ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The man arrested in connection with an Arkansas State Police incident on Interstate 49 in July has pleaded guilty, according to Benton County Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Robinson.

Angel Zapet-Alvarado, 26, pleaded guilty during a court appearance on Monday to one count of driving while intoxicated and one count of reckless driving.

Charges of battery, resisting arrest, failure to yield, speeding and driving without a license that Zapet-Alvarado was originally arrested for were not included.

Zapet-Alvarado was sentenced to the 58 days he already served in prison and ordered to complete the Drug and Alcohol Safety Education program, Robinson said.

He is being held in the Benton County Detention Center for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to his booking.

ASP said around 7:43 p.m. on July 27, a trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Zapet-Alvarado on I-49 southbound after he passed a marked patrol unit at 114 miles per hour near mile marker 83.

The release said Zapet-Alvarado did not initially stop even after the trooper activated her siren and emergency lights.

After he stopped, the trooper told Zapet-Alvarado to get out of the vehicle.

A probable cause affidavit said Zapet-Alvarado refused to get out of his vehicle after the trooper told him he was under arrest.

The release said the trooper saw Zapet-Alvarado had his hand on the gearshift and took his keys to stop him from driving away.

The trooper grabbed her taser after Zapet-Alvarado allegedly refused to comply but the man wrestled the taser away and threw it into traffic. Zapet-Alvarado reportedly kicked the trooper in the head multiple times.

According to the release, a motorist witnessed the incident and tried to help the trooper. The trooper fired one round at Zapet-Alvarado and wounded him in the right temple.

The release said Zapet-Alvarado continued to resist arrest and refused the trooper’s instructions.

Zapet-Alvarado was taken to a nearby hospital where he was treated and released to law enforcement. Toxicology reports showed Zapet-Alvarado’s blood alcohol content was .16 and that cannabinoids were present.

The trooper was treated for non-life-threatening injuries from the incident.

Robinson previously announced the trooper would not be charged with a crime concerning the incident.

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