JONESBORO, Ark.—A Jonesboro woman is facing felony charges after reportedly hitting a man with her car and pursuing him on foot, authorities said.
Craighead County District Judge David Boling determined on Wednesday that there is probable cause to charge 19-year-old Anteunna Smith with aggravated assault on a family or household member, a Class D felony, as well as driving with a suspended license, a misdemeanor.
The charges stem from an incident on August 15. According to a probable cause affidavit, officers with the Jonesboro Police Department were dispatched to a pedestrian crash in the 600 block of Southwest Drive. When officers arrived, they saw Smith driving a silver Dodge with hazard lights flashing as she appeared to argue with a man walking on the sidewalk.
A witness told investigators the vehicle turned sideways on the roadway in an attempt to block the man’s path. When the man attempted to flee, Smith allegedly drove toward him and struck him, causing him to land on the car's hood. The affidavit states the man continued to flee on foot as Smith pursued him in her vehicle into a nearby parking lot, where she got out and began chasing him on foot.
Police eventually located the victim, who ran into a building upon seeing their patrol vehicle. Smith and the man were observed leaving the building together but retreated inside when they noticed officers arriving, according to the affidavit.
Inside, officers spoke with both Smith and the victim, who appeared exhausted and confused. Smith claimed she had been trying to make a U-turn when she accidentally hit the man.
However, investigators reviewed traffic camera footage and allege the collision was intentional. The affidavit notes that after striking the man, Smith appeared to deliberately chase him with her car before continuing the pursuit on foot.
Officials said Smith and the victim were in a dating relationship.
Smith is due in court on September 30 and is being held in the Craighead County Detention Center on a $35,000 cash or surety bond.