Jonesboro man sentenced to 10 years in prison for fatal DWI crash

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Photo: Saga Communications

Jonesboro, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – A man responsible for a fatal drunk-driving crash in Jonesboro last year has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Arturo Chacon pleaded guilty to negligent homicide, a Class B felony, and driving while intoxicated in connection with the Feb. 27, 2025, crash in the 2100 block of East Matthews Avenue.

The sentence, handed down in Craighead County Circuit Court, sends Chacon to the Arkansas Department of Correction for 10 years.

Prosecutors requested — and the court granted — an upward departure from the Arkansas Sentencing Commission guidelines, meaning Chacon received a longer sentence than typically recommended.

Chief Deputy Prosecutor Jessica Thomason handled the case.

“Because of the seriousness of this crime, our office sought and obtained a sentence above what the Arkansas Sentencing Commission guidelines recommend,” Thomason said. “While no sentence can undo the harm caused, this outcome ensures the defendant will serve significant prison time and, once that sentence is complete, he will be deported and unable to return to our community to commit further crimes.”

Police said the crash happened the night of Feb. 27, 2025, when Chacon crossed into oncoming traffic and struck two vehicles.

Larry Traylor of Jonesboro was killed in the crash. Three others were injured. (Police initially identified Traylor as Larry Taylor)

Officers with the Jonesboro Police Department reported smelling alcohol and seeing an open container in Chacon’s vehicle. He was taken into custody and transported to St. Bernards Medical Center, where investigators obtained a search warrant for a blood draw.

Authorities also determined Chacon did not have a valid driver’s license and only possessed a Mexican identification card.

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hold has been placed on Chacon. After he completes his prison sentence, he will be transferred to federal custody for deportation proceedings.

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