Arkansas State Police trooper honored after risking life to stop driver speeding into oncoming traffic

BENTON, Ark. – An Arkansas State Police trooper was honored Thursday at the agency’s annual awards ceremony after a heroic moment on a busy interstate.

Authorities said Trooper Austin Duncan risked his life last September to stop a driver who was traveling at high speeds into oncoming traffic on Interstate 630. ASP officials said he saved the suspect’s life and other drivers on the road.

Duncan describes the event as a day he’ll never forget.

“What was going through my mind was I just happened to be in the right place at the right time,” Duncan said.

Duncan added it was something that could’ve ended his life, but he knew he had to save others.

“You try to prepare for stuff like that mentally, but you never know if it’s going to be you or somebody else,” Duncan said.

Duncan said he was traveling westbound on Interstate 630 when he responded to a call of a vehicle traveling eastbound in the westbound traffic lane. Officials said he positioned his car in the path of the vehicle speeding at 100 miles per hour, leading to a head-on collision with the suspect that officials said ultimately prevented others from being harmed.

Duncan was awarded Trooper of the Year and a Medal of Valor. He said he understands his duty to protect and looks forward to more years of service.

“My family, my friends, myself, when I’m off duty or on duty I drive those roadways, too, and it’s not fair for somebody making that poor choice to decide if I get hurt, injured, live or not,” Duncan said.

Duncan said he is the first in his family to join law enforcement and hopes to carry his legacy for many generations to come.

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