A domestic argument turned dangerous Saturday evening when a 37-year-old Arkansas man allegedly grabbed the steering wheel of his wife's car, causing it to flip over with their three children inside, police said. Matthew Jones now faces charges including aggravated assault on a family member and endangering the welfare of children, according to Greene County Jail records.
Background
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by local ABC affiliate KAIT, the crash occurred shortly after 7 p.m. in the area of Walcott and Spring Grove roads in Paragould, located in northeastern Arkansas. Police said Jones' wife was driving when the car left the road, struck a culvert and overturned. All five family members were in the vehicle at the time. They all exited without serious injuries, though Jones suffered a gash on his forehead visible in his mug shot.
The Charges
Greene County Jail records show Jones is charged with one count of aggravated assault on a family member and three counts of endangering the welfare of children. When an officer asked what happened, Jones' wife reportedly glared at him and demanded he explain. Jones told police he 'messed with the steering wheel' but insisted he didn't do it on purpose, saying they were bickering. His wife said her husband caused the crash when he pulled on the steering wheel. Officers arrested Jones and took him to the Greene County Jail.
Key Takeaways
- Matthew Jones, 37, faces one count of aggravated assault and three counts of endangering a child's welfare.
- The crash occurred Saturday evening in Paragould; no serious injuries were reported among the five occupants.
- Jones allegedly grabbed the steering wheel during an argument with his wife, causing the car to flip over.
- The wife was driving when the car left the road and struck a culvert before overturning.
What's Next
Jones remained at the Greene County Jail as of Tuesday afternoon. His next court date is not listed in jail records.