Car Strikes Arkansas Sheriff’s Helicopters

Arkansas police say a man has been hospitalized after his car flew into the air and struck two grounded law enforcement helicopters.

The Baxter Bulletin reports a 71-year-old driver launched his car off of an 8-foot retaining wall next to the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday.

Office surveillance footage shows the Lincoln Continental driving erratically before slamming through a security fence. It struck one helicopter and smashed head-on into another. Authorities say they recently bought the helicopters at state auction for $1,300 total but their actual value is in excess of $50,000.

Sheriff John Montgomery says both helicopters are “total losses.” The department has one other helicopter.

It’s unclear what caused the crash. The driver was taken to an area hospital. His condition wasn’t immediately available.