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Man Bursts Into Flames After Cop Tases Him

Christopher Gaylor, who Arkansas cops say was carrying gasoline in backpack, will be OK
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 27, 2022 11:51 AM CDT

An Arkansas biker is expected to survive after he was tased earlier this month by police and burst into flames. Citing a release from Arkansas State Police, CNN reports that the incident took place in the early morning hours of Oct. 13 in Little Rock, when a cop tried to pull over a motorcycle that didn't appear to have a license plate. Police say the rider, IDed as 38-year-old Christopher Gaylor, wasn't keen on getting pulled over and instead sped off, with the police officer taking pursuit.

The release says Gaylor "ignored multiple traffic stop signs and traffic lights" and tried to flee at speeds of up to 100mph, making his way to Interstate 30. Police say a second officer then came across the biker, who soon turned off the freeway, then jumped off his bike in a residential neighborhood and started running. Police dashcam video sent to 40/29 by ASP shows what happened next, as one officer who was running after the suspect tased him, causing a fireball to erupt. Per 40/29, troopers started screaming, "He's on fire!," then put out the flames with a fire extinguisher. The release notes they provided medical assistance to Gaylor until an ambulance arrived.

As for why Gaylor turned into a walking fireball: "An investigation has since revealed Gaylor was carrying approximately 1 gallon of gasoline in a backpack," the ASP release notes. Police say there was no signage or any other indication that Gaylor was carrying fuel in the backpack, and that he didn't say anything to that effect when he jumped off the motorcycle. An ASP spokesperson say no personnel have been disciplined or investigated for the incident. Gaylor remains hospitalized but is said to be in good condition. However, he now faces charges of felony fleeing, failure to register a vehicle, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, and having no liability insurance. (More Taser stories.)

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