First-Degree Murder Charge Filed After Jonesboro Pedestrian Dies

JONESBORO, Ark. — The suspect accused of striking four pedestrians with a vehicle at two Jonesboro locations is now charged with first-degree murder after one of the victims died Monday.

Michael Vincent Coleman, 43, remains held on a $5 million bond. First-appearance paperwork lists charges of first-degree murder, three counts of criminal attempt, second-degree battery involving a law enforcement officer, killing or injuring an animal used by a law enforcement agency, fleeing and resisting arrest.

The three criminal-attempt counts are each listed as Class A felonies. First-degree murder is a Class Y felony.

The victim who died was identified by her family as Belinda Adams, an employee at Walmart Neighborhood Market on Harrisburg Road.

Adams’ daughter, Heather Veteto, said her mother’s organ donation was successful and that Adams “officially left this world” at 3:38 p.m. Monday.

A newly released probable cause affidavit alleges Coleman deliberately drove toward pedestrians at Walmart before later making two sharp turns to enter a walking path at Craighead Forest Park.

Jonesboro police initially responded to the park Aug. 13 after receiving reports that a vehicle had struck two pedestrians on the walking path. The vehicle was disabled, and the driver had fled on foot.

Investigators later learned the same vehicle had struck two other people at Walmart before entering the park, according to the affidavit. One victim at each location was initially listed in critical condition.

Police said Walmart surveillance video showed Coleman arrive at the front pedestrian crosswalk and yield to someone using a motorized shopping cart.

Coleman then allegedly steered toward another pedestrian, who jumped out of the way. Police said he accelerated to a high rate of speed, traveled outside the camera’s view and struck two people before fleeing the scene.

Traffic cameras subsequently showed Coleman driving normally toward Craighead Forest Park, according to the affidavit.

Once inside the park, police said Coleman followed the roadway before making a sharp 90-degree left turn off the pavement and another sharp right turn to access the walking path.

The vehicle struck two people walking together. One sustained a head laceration and broken wrist, while the other was thrown onto the hood and launched approximately 40 feet to the ground, according to the affidavit.

Police said Coleman attempted to drive away but was blocked by a wooden bridge. Rough and steep terrain prevented him from returning to the roadway, forcing him to abandon the vehicle and flee into the surrounding forest.

Witness video showed the driver heading into the woods. Officers using police K-9 units tracked Coleman to an area approximately half a mile northeast of the abandoned vehicle.

The affidavit alleges Coleman resisted arrest and placed a police K-9 in a chokehold after the animal was deployed to assist officers. Police said Coleman refused to release the K-9 until officers used physical force.

One officer sustained a broken hand during the struggle. The K-9 displayed lethargy and respiratory distress after being released, according to the affidavit.

Separate court records show Coleman was arrested Aug. 3 on allegations of having no insurance and failing to maintain control of a vehicle. He also faces pending identity fraud and theft charges in an unrelated prescription medication case and was convicted of felony drug possession in 2023.

The case remains under investigation.

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