Pargament v. State, 577 S.W.3d 761

Trooper Josh Elmore followed Eliot Pargament on I-40 after observing a white vehicle pull in front of Pargament; Elmore believed Pargament was following too closely.
Elmore followed for about thirty seconds, then activated his emergency lights; he testified Pargament could have changed lanes or slowed but did neither.
Dashcam video confirmed the stop sequence and that the white vehicle had accelerated and pulled ahead slightly as Elmore moved behind Pargament.
Elmore did not recall exact speeds but said vehicles were near the 70 mph speed limit; he testified based on training that the distance presented a crash risk.
Pargament was arrested for possession of marijuana after the stop; he moved to suppress evidence arguing the traffic stop lacked probable cause.
The trial court denied the suppression motion; on appeal the court reviewed probable-cause de novo and reversed, finding the stop unjustified.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Whether officer had probable cause to stop for following-too-closely under Ark. Code § 27-51-305	Elmore: distance and speed created reasonable belief Pargament violated following statute and posed crash risk	Pargament: the white vehicle cut in front and opened distance; officer didn’t allow sufficient time to correct, so no probable cause	Reversed: no probable cause — officer erred in stopping Pargament (stop unreasonable under totality of circumstances)

Cagle v. State, 571 S.W.3d 47 (Ark. App. 2019) (probable-cause standard for traffic stops; focus on whether officer reasonably believed an offense occurred)