Arrest warrant issued for Jon Jones; fighter expected to turn himself in (UPDATE)
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones by Albuquerque police on a charge of leaving the scene of an accident involving death or personal injuries, police say.
Jones faces possible felony charges in the Sunday incident, as a driver in one of the vehicles he allegedly struck says she suffered a fractured arm and wrist.
The woman, identified as Vanessa Sonnenberg, was taken to the hospital as a precaution because she was pregnant and felt like she was going to pass out at the scene. Sonnenberg later informed police about the extent of her injuries while also saying she would be getting an ultrasound Monday to check on her pregnancy.
Police told FOX Sports that arrangements have been made for Jones to surrender himself to authorities, but as of now he hasn't arrived at the police station.
An arrest warrant issued for UFC fighter Jon Jones. http://t.co/CRYrx7oQ4d Arrangements have been made for Mr. Jones to turn himself in
— Albuquerque Police (@ABQPOLICE) April 27, 2015
Jones is the only suspect in the three-car accident. Police say Jones was identified by an officer who saw him fleeing the scene after exiting a rented 2015 Buick SUV. Witnesses told police he came back to grab "a large handful of cash" from the vehicle before he "shoved the cash into his pants and ran north," per the police report on the accident.
The police report says that paperwork was found in the vehicle belonging to "Jonathan Jones which had MMA information on it from the state of Nevada." Police also say they found a marijuana pipe with marijuana in it inside the vehicle.
Originally, Jones was just listed as a "person of interest" after the accident. He is accused of fleeing the scene on foot.
Jones (21-1) is scheduled to defend his title against Anthony "Rumble" Johnson at UFC 187 in Las Vegas on May 23, headlining one of the promotion's biggest shows of the year.
"We are in the process of gathering facts and will reserve further comment until more information is available," the UFC said in a statement.
Although he is widely considered the world's best pound-for-pound mixed martial artist, Jones has endured legal problems and questionable behavior as champion.
Jones was arrested in 2012 after crashing his Bentley into a telephone pole in Binghamton, New York. He had his driver's license suspended after being charged with DWI, but did no jail time.
Last August, Jones and challenger Daniel Cormier were involved in a brawl in the lobby of the MGM Grand casino while appearing at a promotional event. Jones was fined $50,000 and ordered to do community service by the Nevada Athletic Commission.
In early December, Jones tested positive for metabolites of cocaine while training for his bout. Jones was allowed to compete because the test was conducted out of competition, and he beat Cormier at UFC 182.
When the failed drug test became public, Jones publicly apologized for a "mistake," but spent just one day in a drug rehabilitation center before checking himself out.
Jones has defended his belt eight times since becoming the youngest champion in UFC history in March 2011.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
