FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :
March 7, 2026
Public Notice
City of Little Rock Public Relations (501) 371-4605
Shortly after 10 p.m. on March 6, 2026, 12th Street patrol officers responded to a disturbance-with-a-weapon call reporting shots fired from a vehicle. The caller provided a license plate, and while en route, officers spotted the vehicle and saw it run a red light. A pursuit ensued and as it made it to the area of North Rodney Parham and Van Lee, the vehicle lost control and left the roadway. After striking two unoccupied vehicles and a house, the driver, 37-year-old Patrick Hardy, got out of the vehicle but was taken into custody shortly afterwards. The passenger, 49-year-old Stephanie Eperson, was suffering from a laceration. She was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to injuries and next of kin was notified.
Accident Reconstruction Officers were called and responded to process the scene and take photographs, collect evidence, and take measurements. Hardy was transported to a local hospital where he provided a urine sample and was later charged with Capital Murder, Fleeing, Unauthorized Use of Another Person’s Property, 1st Degree Criminal Mischief, Resisting Arrest, Reckless Driving, Running a Red Light, and No Seatbelt. This investigation is ongoing.