Jonesboro Hit-and-Run Suspect Faces Attempted Murder Charge, $5 Million Bond

Note: No mugshot was available from his current arrest. This is a mugshot from his July arrest that we previously reported

JONESBORO, Ark. — The suspect accused of striking four pedestrians at two Jonesboro locations Thursday evening is now being held on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder.

The Jonesboro Police Department confirmed Friday that Michael Vincent Coleman, 43, is the suspect apprehended after pedestrians were struck at Walmart Market on Harrisburg Road and Craighead Forest Park.

Craighead County jail records show Coleman was booked at 2:15 a.m. Friday. The online jail roster initially listed leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death as his charge but was later updated to criminal attempt to commit first-degree murder.

A temporary bond was set for Coleman at $5 million cash or surety by Judge David Boling. Jail records list his address as Bay.

Police and emergency personnel were dispatched around 6:30 p.m. Thursday to Walmart Market, where they found two people who had been struck by a vehicle that fled the scene.

Both victims were transported to an area hospital. Police said one was in critical condition and the other sustained minor injuries.

At 6:36 p.m., the vehicle entered Craighead Forest Park, traveled onto a pedestrian walking path, and struck two more people, according to JPD. The driver then left the vehicle and fled on foot.

Those victims were also transported to an area hospital. One was listed in critical condition, while the other sustained minor injuries.

Bystanders directed officers toward the area where the driver fled. Police deployed a canine and apprehended Coleman following what JPD described as a physical encounter with the canine and officers.

The department said technology at its Real-Time Crime Center and work by patrol officers helped authorities quickly identify the suspect.


“Very Familiar With”

Court records show Coleman was arrested Aug. 3 on allegations of having no insurance and failing to maintain control of a vehicle.

Coleman also faces pending charges in an unrelated prescription medication case. He was arrested July 14 after Jonesboro police accused him of posing as another person’s representative to obtain medication valued at $1,334.59 from a pharmacy.

He is charged in that case with nonfinancial identity fraud, a Class C felony, and theft of property valued between $1,000 and $5,000, a Class D felony. Judge Tommy Fowler set his bond at $35,000 cash or surety, and his next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 21.

Court records also show Coleman pleaded guilty July 11, 2023, to possession of between 2 and 10 grams of methamphetamine or cocaine, a Class C felony. The conviction stemmed from a March 23, 2023, offense. Court records show an arrest in May 2025 for drugs that was ultimately dropped.

On Friday, JPD Public Information Official Sally Smith said authorities were very familiar with Coleman. According to Smith, since the beginning of 2025, Coleman was arrested or a suspect in cases for contempt of court, drug paraphernalia, drugs (multiple cases), theft (multiple cases), and other charges.


JPD thanked the Jonesboro Fire Department, park rangers, and code enforcement officers for assisting Thursday evening.

The incidents remain under investigation. Police said more information will be released as it becomes available.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Note: No mugshot was available for his latest arrest.
Updated charge w/ bond amount

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.


Discover more from NEA Report

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

2 Comments

  1. Stop trying to justify an invasion of privacy as to the reason the suspect is caught..flock cameras in jonesboro (any location) are invading our privacy as a community. Lie to those who dont have a brain to think for themself but i know and will continue to point out that it is unconsitutional. Jpd and any partners are criminals for allowing this to continue in our town.

  2. Somewhere it has been said that in the original dispatch call, it was conveyed that there was a passenger in his car. NEA Report, can you find out? What is the current condition of the people who were injured?

What do you think?