Couple arrested following accident

  Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassell reported on the morning of Saturday, March 28, Searcy County deputies Joey Baysinger and Kevin Trammell responded to a 911 call concerning a woman who drove her vehicle into a power pole and then left the vehicle and ran into the woods.

  Before deputies arrived at the scene, the Marshall Police Department (MPD) arrived and radioed deputies to report the female was out of the car and appeared to have minor non-life threatening injuries. The MPD also told deputies that a male on scene was being hostile to law enforcement and medical personnel.

  When deputies arrived, they noticed a telephone pole snapped at the base and a Ford Mustang in the brush. Law enforcement identified the couple has 22 year old Tesia Dawn Vanzant of Everton and 38 year old Joseph Couch of Harrison.

  When Vanzant moved away from the scene to give a statement to law enforcement, Couch became hostile and began cursing and telling law enforcement to "get off his property." Law enforcement noticed the smell of alcohol coming from Couch.

  When attempting to clear the incident, Couch became even more upset. When officers attempted to arrest Couch, they told Couch he would be tased if he did not calm down. While cuffing Couch, he began kicking and struck a member of law enforcement. At this point, law enforcement used shackles to contain Couch. Once subdued, law enforcement conducted a pat down and found a glass smoking device in Couch's pocket.

  Both Vanzant and Couch were arrested and transported to the Searcy County Detention Center. At the center, Vanzant was given field sobriety test and a breath test, which she failed. Vanzant was charged with DWI.

  Couch was charged 3rd degree felony assault, disorderly conduct, public intoxication, obstructing governmental operations, resisting arrest, terroristic threatening and possession of drug paraphernalia.

  Cassell extends his thanks and appreciation to the National Park Service for their assistance with this incident.