Traffic stop leads to pursuit and two arrests

A routine traffic stop for no insurance led to a high-speed chase and two arrests in Independence County earlier this month.

According to the incident report, Deputy Andy Ngo attempted to stop a white Buick Verano on July 1 after discovering it had no insurance. The driver, identified as Kenzi Breanna Dunegan, 27, of Batesville, led deputies on a chase at speeds exceeding 76 mph in a 45 mph zone before abandoning the vehicle with a passenger, identified as Kameron Layne Roberson, 23, of Batesville, court documents said.

Above, from left: Kenzi Breanna Dunegan, Kameron Layne Roberson / Image via the Independence County Sheriff’s Office

Both suspects fled on foot into wooded terrain. Deputies found drug paraphernalia in the abandoned vehicle and a baggie containing a crystalline substance near Roberson when he was arrested. Roberson, who Chief Deputy Aaron Moody located, was administered Narcan onsite by Deputy Dalton Wallace for a possible overdose. Roberson was hospitalized before being jailed, according to the incident report.

Dunegan was found hours later after her father contacted deputies. According to her arrest affidavit, she admitted to driving and fleeing because Roberson told her to do so.

On July 3, Dunegan was charged with felony fleeing in a vehicle, felony possession of drug paraphernalia, and fleeing on foot — a misdemeanor. She was also charged as a habitual offender. Her bond was set at $40,000. Roberson was charged with felony possession of meth and fleeing on foot. He’s also being charged as a habitual offender. His bond was set at $25,000.