JONESBORO, Ark. — A 28-year-old woman who crashed into a Jonesboro police vehicle and left the scene pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and received a one-day jail sentence and a 12-month suspended sentence, according to court records.
Venus Quinonez entered a negotiated guilty plea to a first-offense DWI on October 5 in Craighead County Circuit Court. Circuit Judge Chris Thyer administered the sentence. Records show that attorney Zach Morrison represented Quinonez, while the court documents also list Jonathan White.
The sentencing order includes 12 months of a suspended imposition of sentence and one day of confinement, with credit for the day Quinonez already served in jail. Quinonez was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, $450 in court costs, a $40 administrative fee, and $1,828.14 in restitution. Additionally, she must complete a substance abuse assessment and comply with its recommendations.
As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors dropped a Class D felony charge of fleeing and a Class A misdemeanor charge for failing to stop after an accident involving property damage. Both charges were listed as "nolle prossed" in the court order.
The charges stem from a crash on November 14, 2025, near the intersection of Main Street and Nettleton Avenue. According to a probable cause affidavit, officers were assisting with a prior collision involving a disabled vehicle in the center turn lane of Main Street. Two patrol cars were parked behind the vehicle with their emergency lights flashing when a Nissan Rogue driven by Quinonez struck one of the patrol cars from the rear.
The affidavit states that Quinonez continued driving south on Main Street and left the crash scene. An officer followed her vehicle, activating emergency lights and a siren, but Quinonez reportedly refused to stop. She allegedly exceeded the posted speed limit before coming to a stop several blocks away.
Police conducted field sobriety tests and determined Quinonez was intoxicated, leading to her arrest. She was subsequently taken to the Craighead County Detention Center.
The sentencing details were filed in case 16JCR-26-14 in Craighead County Circuit Court.