Arkansas Trooper's Use of Pit Maneuver in Emergency Response Raises Concerns

On February 20, 2026, an Arkansas father, Dillon Hess, was involved in a controversial incident with state police while transporting his sick child to the hospital. Hess was speeding on Interstate 630 in Little Rock when Trooper Amber Cass employed a vehicle-ramming technique known as a Pit maneuver to stop him. The maneuver, which involves nudging the rear of a vehicle to cause it to spin out, resulted in Hess's Jeep Cherokee being pinned against a concrete barrier. The child was later taken to the hospital by ambulance, and authorities have decided not to charge Hess, citing a lack of awareness on Cass's part regarding the emergency.

The Guardian

The Pit maneuver, also referred to as the precision immobilization technique, is commonly used by police during pursuits to safely stop fleeing vehicles. However, its application has raised questions, particularly in emergency situations. In this case, Trooper Cass's decision to use the technique was based on her perception of Hess's actions as potentially dangerous, as outlined in her report. She noted that Hess was approaching a busier traffic area and that fleeing in a vehicle is considered an inherently dangerous crime.

The Guardian

Arkansas state police officials, including Director Col Mike Hagar, emphasized the need for better communication during medical emergencies. Hagar stated that drivers should always call 911 to inform dispatchers of their situation and route. Trooper Cass, in her report, defended her actions by stating that she was unaware of the emergency and believed Hess was fleeing. The incident has prompted the state's office of professional standards to investigate Cass's use of the Pit maneuver.

The Guardian

Critics have raised concerns about the appropriateness of using the Pit maneuver in situations involving medical emergencies. The incident has sparked discussions about the need for police training on recognizing emergencies and the potential dangers of high-speed interventions. This is not the first time Arkansas state police have faced scrutiny over the use of the Pit maneuver; a previous incident resulted in a trooper being fired for mistakenly ramming the wrong vehicle.

The Guardian

The use of the Pit maneuver has seen a significant increase in Arkansas, with state troopers employing it in 52% of pursuits in 2025, up from 29% prior to 2023. In total, state troopers were involved in 432 pursuits in 2025, a decrease from 553 in 2024. The rising frequency of Pit maneuvers has led to calls for a reassessment of their use, particularly in emergency situations.

The Guardian

As the investigation into Trooper Cass's actions continues, there may be further discussions regarding police protocols in emergency situations. The outcome could influence future training and policies related to the use of the Pit maneuver by Arkansas state police.

The Guardian