A routine traffic stop on a dark highway should never end with an 18-year-old girl pinned to the asphalt and punched in the face. Yet that is precisely what happened outside Manila, Arkansas, on August 1, captured entirely on dashcam footage that has since ignited intense public outrage, legislative scrutiny, and a federal civil rights lawsuit.
When video footage surfaces showing a law enforcement officer using brutal force against a minor or young adult, public trust fractures instantly. Let's break down what actually happened during this incident, the official police justifications, and why this case is drawing national attention.
What Happened on Highway 18
The incident began around 10:45 p.m. when Arkansas State Police Trooper Moisses Arellano clocked an 18-year-old driver, Alisa Hackett of Osceola, traveling 71 mph in a 60 mph zone. Hackett was driving with her hazard lights on. According to the official police report, she explained that her car window was broken and she was simply trying to get home safely.
Trooper Arellano noted several violations during the initial contact. Hackett was not wearing a seatbelt, her license plate was improperly displayed, and a cold bottle of liquor sat in the front seat. When Arellano questioned her about the alcohol, noting she was only 18, Hackett pointed out that the bottle was still sealed.
Things escalated when Arellano consulted another trooper. Checking her history, the troopers realized Hackett had been pulled over for speeding just days earlier and let go with a warning despite an open container. The second trooper's reaction on audio was blunt: "Well, she got an attitude, take her ass to jail."
The Escalation and the Punch
Trooper Arellano ordered Hackett—who stands 5-foot-1 and weighs roughly 118 pounds—out of her vehicle. Dashcam video shows Hackett stepping out without immediate physical resistance, but she repeatedly asked what she had done wrong, voicing her confusion and fear.
As Arellano reached for her arm, tension mounted. The situation quickly deteriorated from a minor traffic stop into a physical altercation. Arellano tackled the teenager to the ground.
In his own official use-of-force report, Arellano admitted to what happened next. Writing candidly about the encounter, he stated that after giving multiple commands to roll over onto her stomach without compliance, he delivered one closed-fist strike to the left side of her face to gain compliance.
Audio from the scene reveals the chilling reality of the encounter. Hackett screamed out, begging to call her mother and shouting that the officer could not punch her. Arellano’s response was hostile. He cursed at her and warned that if she resisted or moved, he was authorized to strike her again. At one point, he drew his Taser and activated the laser pointer against her midsection, though he did not fire.
Hackett was booked into the Mississippi County jail at 12:51 a.m. on August 2. She faced five charges: improper display of tags, vehicle lamp restrictions, failure to wear a seatbelt, possession of alcohol by a minor, and refusal to submit to arrest.
Legal Action and Demands for Transparency
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has since been retained to represent Hackett in a federal civil rights lawsuit initially filed by attorney Luther Sutter. The legal filing targets the excessive force used during what should have been a standard citation stop, arguing that Hackett's constitutional rights to free speech and bodily integrity were violated.
Crump didn't mince words regarding the incident. He noted the absurdity of a trained state trooper resorting to punching a small teenager in the face simply because she was slow to roll over on command. The lawsuit outlines that Hackett continues to suffer from severe physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and a deep-seated fear of law enforcement.
Public pressure is mounting rapidly. The Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus and the NAACP Arkansas State Conference have stepped forward to demand immediate answers. Lawmakers scheduled a direct meeting with Col. Mike Hagar, the director of the Arkansas State Police and the state's public safety secretary.
Despite the public outcry and the circulation of the dashcam footage, Trooper Arellano remains on active duty. A spokesperson for the Arkansas Department of Public Safety stated that the agency does not comment on pending litigation, noting only that all uses of force are reviewed internally.
When officers are allowed to use closed-fist strikes on teenagers during minor traffic stops without immediate administrative consequences, public confidence evaporates. Accountability isn't optional. Real police reform means removing badges from officers who view physical violence as a valid customer service strategy for dealing with a talkative 18-year-old.
