Heather Cater, 22, of Traskwood was fatally injured about 6 p.m. Wednesday when struck by an SUV on the parking lot of Walgreens at, Col. Glenn and University. She worked at a nearby dental office, not at Walgreens as the original post said incorrectly.

The Tahoe which was reported stolen, was being chased northbound by Pulaski deputies. It struck two other cars before the driver jumped out and escaped.

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According to a Little Rock police account of the accident, Pulaski county plainclothes investigators Walker and McKinnis had given chase to the vehicle in the Walgreens parking lot. The vehicle struck Cater at a high speed and kept going. Cater had just gotten off work and was talking with co-workers by her parked car. She saw the speeding car coming and tried unsuccessfully to get out of the way, according to one witness. She was knocked into the air, hit the parking lot and was run over by the vehicle and dragged 75 feet. The initial police report said she suffered spinal fractures and collapsed lungs and was in intensive care with life supporting treatment, the police said. Later, Channel 4 reports, she died of those injuries.

The Tahoe continued north through back parking lots along University to the 3300 block, where it struck two more vehicles. The driver abandoned the Tahoe and fled.  The report has conflicting information on whether there was a passenger in the Tahoe with the driver.

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I’m awaiting a report from the sheriff’s office on its part of the event.

UPDATE: Here’s the initial account from the sheriff’s office:

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On 09-03-14, at approximately 1800 hours, members of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit were at the Walgreens located at 3710 South University Avenue in Little Rock.

While at the Walgreens, investigators observed that the occupants of a black Tahoe were making narcotics transactions in the Walgreens parking lot. The investigators called for a marked patrol unit which responded to the area. Investigators attempted to make contact with the occupants of the black Tahoe, but the black Tahoe backed out of its parking space and began to flee the scene. The marked patrol unit arrived and attempted to stop the black Tahoe, however the black Tahoe continued traveling northbound through the parking lot into an adjoining parking lot, where the black Tahoe struck a white female that was later identified as Heather Cater. The black Tahoe then continued northbound through the parking lot. The investigators in the marked patrol unit stopped where Mrs. Cater had been struck by the vehicle and called for medical assistance.

Mrs. Cater was transported to St. Vincent’s hospital where she later passed away from her injuries. This case is an open and ongoing investigation.

UPDATE: The sheriff’s office issued a murder arrest warrant Thursday evening for Deonte Jones, believed to be the driver of the Tahoe. A search was underway.

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