PARAGOULD — A Paragould man is facing four felony charges after authorities say he grabbed the steering wheel of a vehicle during an argument, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway, strike a culvert, and overturn while three children were inside.
Matthew Scott Jones has been charged with one count of aggravated assault on a family or household member and three counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor. Each charge is classified as a Class D felony.
According to the probable cause affidavit prepared by Paragould Police Detective Lt. Jack Hailey, officers were dispatched to the scene of the crash near Walcott and Spring Grove roads at approximately 7:10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1. Responding officers discovered a single vehicle that had overturned after running off the roadway and hitting a culvert. Three children were in the vehicle at the time of the crash, police said.
Officer Kendrick Walker interviewed the driver at the scene. The driver reportedly turned to Jones and asked him to explain what had happened. Jones then allegedly admitted to the officer, "I messed with the steering wheel. We were kind of arguing and bickering."
When Walker asked Jones if his actions caused the vehicle to leave the roadway, Jones reportedly replied, "I didn’t do it on purpose. We were bickering."
The driver also told the officer that Jones had "grabbed it," referring to the steering wheel. No injuries were mentioned in the affidavit, and further details about the condition of those involved were not disclosed.
As of this report, no information about bond for Jones was available.
All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.