High-speed chase ends with violent arrest of former UTC basketball player in Arkansas

WARNING: Some readers may find the details of this story, or the pictures and video, disturbing.

From Local 3 News: Dash camera video shows an Arkansas State Police trooper punching and yanking a former UTC basketball player by the dreadlocks after a high-speed chase.

Tedrick Washington Jr., 24, was a backseat passenger during the multi-agency pursuit late Wednesday, August 19, according to records NEA Report obtained and shared with Local 3 News.

One trooper said he reached speeds over 140 miles per hour trying to catch up with the car.

Trooper Theodore Henderson is seen in the dashcam video ordering Washington to crawl out of the baton-smashed window before grabbing and forcefully pulling his dreadlocks while he struggles to open the door.

At one point, Henderson punched Washington on the left side of his face with a closed fist, later writing in his narrative that it appeared the suspect “postured up” as if he was preparing to strike him.The trooper is seen continuing to pull Washington by the arm and hair through the window until an officer from the Gosnell Police Department came around and pulled him through the semi-opened door.

Out of view of the dash camera, they take him to the ground, where they say he continued to tense up and pull away. The trooper says he struck him one more time when he was not complying with the other officer before his arrest.

Police then charged Washington with obstruction of governmental operations and resisting arrest.

The driver of the car, Adonerus Johnson, tried to flee by crawling through the backseat but was placed at gunpoint, tased, and arrested. He is charged with:

• Driving under the influence
• Speeding more than 15 mph over the limit
• Reckless driving
• Fleeing (felony) vehicle or conveyance
• DWI 1st
• Resisting arrest
• Unauthorized use of another person’s property to facilitate a felony
• No seatbelt
• Failure to stop at a red light
• Improper passing on the right

The front-seat passenger complied with all commands and was later released by police.

Documents NEA Report obtained and shared with our newsroom show that the Gosnell Police Department administration found that their officer’s display of a firearm and hands-on force on Johnson was justified under the department’s policy.

Henderson provided a detailed account of his actions toward Washington in the incident report, but there is no similar paperwork on his use of force.

Washington has bonded out of the Mississippi County Detention Center. We have reached out to him for comment, but he has not responded.

He posted on his public Facebook page the following statement:
“Appreciate everybody for checking in I'm doing fine!! Justice will be served I want my story be heard!!!”

The Blytheville native signed with Chattanooga in the spring of 2025 as a transfer and appeared in 31 games, making 20 starts, UTC says on their website.