UPDATE x2:
The Albuquerque police stated they have Jon Jones in custody. He’s been booked, and his crime has been upgraded to a felony, due the the woman’s injuries. The pregnant woman, identified as Vanessa Sonnenberg, was taken to the hospital as a precaution. She suffered a fractured arm and wrist due to the hit and run, and said she will be getting an ultrasound to check on her pregnancy.
UFC fighter Jon Jones has been booked into Bernalillo County MDC without incident.
— Albuquerque Police (@ABQPOLICE) April 28, 2015
A previous @ABQPOLICE tweet said that a felony warrant had been issued, and they were just waiting for Jones to turn himself in.
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 vehicle accident, and was identified leaving the crime scene by an off duty officer who recognized him. Paperwork with his name and MMA information was later found in the abandoned rented SUV, along with a pipe and marijuana.
UPDATE:
UFC has released the following statement:
“We are aware that the Albuquerque Police Department is interested in speaking to Jon Jones regarding his possible involvement in a motor vehicle accident. We are in the process of gathering facts and will reserve further comment until more information is available.”
With these statements from the Albuquerque police:
“The Albuquerque Police Department is actively seeking UFC Fighter Jon Jones for questioning in regards to his possible involvement in a hit-and-run accident, near the intersection of Juan Tabo and Southern, in Southeast Albuquerque early this morning, April 26, 2015.
A pregnant female in her 20s, who was the driver of a separate vehicle, was taken to a local hospital for minor injuries.
Officers attempted to contact Mr. Jones at his residence Sunday evening, but were unsuccessful. We have also reached out to his lawyer, but as of now, have not heard back.”
“The case has progressed and he is now our suspect in the the hit and run that happened earlier this morning involving a pregnant female,” Albuquerque PD spokesman Simon Drobik said. “We are now definitely looking at him as a suspect.”
Some twitter accounts are reporting that cocaine may have been involved.
Original story is below:
Rumors were all over Twitter this afternoon that troubled MMA fighter and Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones (21-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) had been involved in a hit and run accident in Albuquerque. There were many tweets from current and former colleagues and friends desperately trying to find Jones, and quite a few said that he had been in an accident and fled the scene, though none could confirm it, and most hoped it wasn’t true. Even the Albuquerque police could not confirm it as of this afternoon.
We CANNOT confirm that Jon Jones was involved in a H&R traffic accident from this morning. The investigation is ongoing.
— Albuquerque Police (@ABQPOLICE) April 26, 2015
Well, MMAWeekly is reporting that that the fighter is out of his scheduled UFC 187 headlining title fight against Anthony Johnson (19-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC), presumably due to the accident. The 27-year old fighter was fined $25,000 in January due to failing an out-of-competition drug test earlier in the month, violating the UFC’s Athlete Code of Conduct policy. However, Jones went into rehab, and was welcomed back to the UFC with open arms. It is not known if that will happen this time.
The fight with Johnson would have been his first since defeating Daniel Cormier at UFC 182, the event where he tested positive for the cocaine that caused his one night stay in rehab.
We have reached out to the Albuquerque police, and will update as news comes in.
UFC 187 takes place on May 23rd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, though now without a headliner.