A Jonesboro man is facing multiple charges, including felony fleeing, after police say he led officers on a high-speed pursuit and nearly collided with a school bus while driving on the wrong side of the road.

Craighead County District Judge David Boling found probable cause to charge Davarius Jawondz Copeland with felony fleeing, reckless driving, driving without a license, failure to stop after an accident, and other traffic-related offenses.

According to police, officers were patrolling near Belt Street and Patrick Street on the afternoon of Aug. 25 when they spotted a white Kia driven by Copeland. Officers recognized him from a recent encounter and were aware that he did not have a valid driver’s license.

When the officers attempted to make contact, Copeland allegedly crossed a double-yellow line to pass a vehicle, accelerated rapidly, and fled. Police pursued him with emergency lights and sirens as he reportedly ran a stop sign and sped toward Scott Street and Belt Avenue. Due to his high speed, officers lost sight of the Kia near Greensboro Road and terminated the pursuit.

Investigators later traced the vehicle’s movements using traffic cameras. An affidavit stated that the Kia was recorded traveling at excessive speeds, failing to stop at traffic signs, and crossing into the oncoming lane of traffic, where it narrowly avoided a school bus traveling in the opposite direction. Police estimated Copeland covered approximately 1.7 miles, from Belt Avenue to Daybreak Drive, in about 1.5 minutes. The same route typically takes four minutes.

The vehicle was located shortly thereafter in the 100 block of Daybreak Drive. Officers noted that its engine and brakes were still warm. A resident directed police to an apartment where Copeland was found visibly perspiring. Upon searching the room he had exited, officers discovered a backpack containing a BB gun described as "nearly indistinguishable from a real firearm,” a digital scale, an unlabeled prescription bottle with non-controlled pills, and documents identifying Copeland. They also located a red beanie matching the one the driver wore during the pursuit.

A witness told officers that Copeland arrived at the apartment just minutes before police and asked her to tell investigators that she, not Copeland, had been driving the Kia.

Copeland is on active probation. During the probation search, police reported that he refused to unlock his phone for officers.

Judge Boling set Copeland’s bond at $25,000 and ordered GPS monitoring as a condition of his release. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 30, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in the Craighead County Courthouse.