Judge: Jonesboro motorcyclist accused of leading trooper on high-speed chase considered ‘a danger to the public’

Jonesboro, AR — (JonesboroRightNow.com) — Aug. 4, 2025 — A Jonesboro motorcyclist is facing a slew of charges after court documents said that he traveled at over 100 miles per hour and into oncoming traffic during a chase with a state trooper.

According to an affidavit, on Aug. 2, Arkansas State Trooper Nash Thomas was patrolling on State Highway 1 saw a motorcycle traveling at 101 miles per hour in a 55-mile-per-hour zone.

The trooper began following the motorcycle to conduct a traffic stop. As he was catching up to the motorcycle, the driver began passing multiple vehicles on the shoulder.

“I knew at this time the motorcycle was fleeing,” Thomas said in the affidavit. “It traveled at high rates of speed on Stadium, running a red light at Parker Road, and driving through traffic with no regard to other motorists.”

The motorcycle turned onto East Highland Drive, driving into oncoming traffic, then driving at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour in a 45-mile-per-hour zone. The affidavit said the motorcycle began to slow and turn, but was traveling too fast. It entered a concrete lot, then into a grass field to escape. However, the driver lost control, laying the bike over on its driver’s side.

The driver, 29-year-old Riley Quinn McCarthy, was arrested and taken to the Craighead County Detention Center. The affidavit noted that McCarthy had a driving-while-intoxicated suspended license, no insurance on the motorcycle, an interlock requirement, and no motorcycle endorsement.

On Aug. 4, District Judge Tommy Fowler found probable cause to charge McCarthy with fleeing in a vehicle (substantial risk of death), first-degree reckless driving, speeding more than 15 miles per hour over, driving on a DWI suspended driver’s license, offenses involving interlock device, no liability insurance, and improper operation of a motorcycle or no certificate.

McCarthy was given a $10,000 cash-only bond, given this was his third arrest in 2025. Fowler noted McCarthy is “a danger to the public.”

McCarthy’s next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 30.