Man charged with high-speed pursuit while driving drunk

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – Police arrested an out-of-state man after they say he led officers on a high-speed pursuit while drunk.

Craighead County District Court Judge David Boling found probable cause on Monday, November 4, to charge Eric Molina, 22, of Houston, Texas, with second-degree assault, fleeing, driving or boating under the influence, reckless driving, etc . to accuse driving without lights.

According to the affidavit, on Sunday, Nov. 3, a Jonesboro police officer working off-duty in the 2800 block of Fair Park Boulevard saw Molina stumbling in the parking lot.

As Molina attempted to get into the driver's seat of a white Acura, the officer asked him to stop, but he did not and closed the door.

“The officer opened the door and attempted to turn off the vehicle, but then discovered it was a push-to-start vehicle,” the affidavit states.

Molina then put the car in gear and began to drive away with the officer halfway inside. The officer ran alongside the vehicle and realized Molina was about to hit another vehicle in the parking lot. The officer exited the vehicle and fell forward to catch himself.

The affidavit states that Molina was speeding with his lights on and managed to pass the officers at the intersection of East Nettleton Avenue and Caraway Road. However, another officer noticed Molina turning around and walking toward the intersection again, and officers were able to stop him.

When Molina got out, officers noticed he was moving slowly and unsteadily on his feet. He was arrested and taken to the Craighead County Detention Center, where he took a blood alcohol test. The affidavit stated that he had a reading of 0.26. The legal BAC limit in Arkansas is 0.08.

Molina is being held on a $75,000 cash/surety bond and is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday, December 17th.

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