Little Rock, Arkansas – A late-night police pursuit in Little Rock ended in tragedy after a vehicle fleeing officers crashed into parked cars and a home, leaving a passenger dead and the driver facing a series of serious criminal charges.
The incident unfolded shortly after 10 p.m. on March 6, 2026, when officers assigned to the 12th Street patrol division responded to a disturbance-with-a-weapon call. Dispatchers received information that shots had been fired from a vehicle in the area.
The person who contacted authorities provided officers with a license plate number connected to the suspected vehicle. While officers were still on their way to the call, they spotted the vehicle matching the description and observed it running a red light.
Police then attempted to stop the vehicle, which led to a pursuit through city streets.
Pursuit Ends in Crash
According to authorities, the pursuit continued until the vehicle reached the area of North Rodney Parham Road and Van Lee. During the chase, the driver lost control of the vehicle and it veered off the roadway.
The out-of-control vehicle then crashed into two parked vehicles before striking a nearby house.
After the crash, the driver, identified as 37-year-old Patrick Hardy, exited the vehicle. Officers quickly moved in and took him into custody shortly afterward.
Inside the vehicle, however, the passenger had been seriously injured.
The passenger, identified as 49-year-old Stephanie Eperson, was suffering from a laceration following the crash. Emergency responders transported her to a local hospital for treatment.
Despite medical efforts, Eperson later succumbed to her injuries. Authorities confirmed that her next of kin had been notified.
Investigation and Charges
Following the crash, Accident Reconstruction Officers were called to the scene to carefully process the area. Investigators documented the location by taking photographs, collecting evidence, and measuring key points connected to the crash.
Hardy was transported to a hospital after his arrest where investigators obtained a urine sample as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities later filed numerous charges against Hardy. He now faces charges including Capital Murder, Fleeing, Unauthorized Use of Another Person’s Property, First Degree Criminal Mischief, Resisting Arrest, Reckless Driving, Running a Red Light, and No Seatbelt.
Police say the investigation remains active as detectives continue to review evidence and determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
