UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is facing a felony charge after he was allegedly involved in a hit and run in Albuquerque, N.M., early Sunday morning.
Initially, it appeared that Jones would be facing a misdemeanor even if it was determined that he was the man who fled the scene of the accident. However, the 25-year-old pregnant woman who was driving the car that Jones allegedly struck suffered a broken arm. Albuquerque Police Department spokesperson Tanner Tixier confirmed to Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com that the injury makes the crime a felony.
“The preliminary statement that the woman suffered ‘non-serious’ injury was not entirely accurate,” Tixier said. “She did suffer a broken arm. That is confirmed.”
A warrant was issued for Jones’ arrest on Monday afternoon, and police were waiting for him to turn himself in to be charged with leaving the scene of a crime, which could result in jail time.
Witnesses — including an off-duty police officer — reportedly saw Jones leaving the scene of the accident on foot and jumping a fence. Police say they found marijuana and a pipe in the car, which had paperwork inside of it indicating it had been rented to Jones.
This is a horrible look for Jones, who has been in the news multiple times over the past year for the wrong reasons. He is scheduled to fight Anthony Johnson at UFC 187 on May 23, but it seems highly unlikely that the fight will take place. UFC released a statement on Jones’ alleged involvement in the hit and run on Sunday night.
“We are aware that the Albuquerque Police Department is interested in speaking to Jon Jones regarding his possible involvement in a motor vehicle accident,” the statement read. “We are in the process of gathering facts and will reserve further comment until more information is available.”
It came out in January that Jones tested positive for cocaine prior to his fight against Daniel Cormier, which led to Jones spending a day in a rehab facility. He was also arrested for DWI in New York three years ago.
