JONESBORO, Ark. — A woman accused of hitting a Jonesboro police cruiser and driving away pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and received one day of confinement and a 12-month suspended sentence, according to a sentencing order.
Venus Quinonez, 28, entered a negotiated guilty plea to first-offense DWI on Oct. 5 in Craighead County Circuit Court. Circuit Judge Chris Thyer imposed the sentence. She was represented by attorney Zach Morrison, while the sentencing order lists Jonathan White.
The order lists 12 months of suspended imposition of sentence and one day of confinement. It also credits Quinonez with one day already served in jail.
Prosecutors dropped a Class D felony fleeing charge and a Class A misdemeanor charge of failing to stop after an accident involving property damage. Both are listed as nolle prossed in the order.
Quinonez was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, $450 in court costs, a $40 booking/administrative fee and $1,828.14 in restitution. She must also complete a substance abuse assessment and follow all recommendations.
The case stemmed from a Nov. 14, 2025, crash near the intersection of Main Street and Nettleton Avenue in Jonesboro.
According to a probable cause affidavit, officers were working an earlier crash involving a disabled vehicle in the center turn lane of Main Street. Two patrol vehicles were parked directly behind it with their emergency lights flashing.
A Nissan Rogue driven by Quinonez struck the rear patrol vehicle, and she continued south on Main Street, leaving the crash scene, the affidavit alleges.
An officer followed and tried to stop her using emergency lights and a siren. Police said Quinonez did not stop and drove above the posted speed limit before stopping several blocks away.
Officers reported determining that she was intoxicated after administering field sobriety tests. She was arrested and taken to the Craighead County Detention Center, according to the affidavit.
The sentencing order was filed Oct. 5 in Craighead County Circuit Court case 16JCR-26-14.
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