John Bruce Martinez Obituary, Death; – A high-speed chase that culminated in a crash resulted in the death of a 19-year-old man from Mabelvale late Saturday on I-40 close to the Morgan/Maumelle exit. Before 11 p.m. on March 29, the North Little Rock Police sought help from the Arkansas State Police (ASP) while pursuing a vehicle.
The vehicle was operating without its headlights and was traveling at speeds exceeding 120 mph. Once ASP troopers joined the chase near the 145-mile marker, the vehicle accelerated to 130 mph before exiting at 142 onto Highway 365.
The driver, later identified as John Bruce Martinez, lost control and veered off the road, colliding with several trees. Martinez was pronounced dead at the scene. Three 17-year-old passengers from Mabelvale were taken to a local hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
