Community Corner

Rydal Man Accused in Athens Hit-and-Run Indicted

William Wilson Heaton has been indicted on 13 counts in the hit-and-run case of Woodstock resident Emily Bowman.

The former Rydal resident charged in the hit-and-run of a Woodstock woman was indicted by a Clarke County Grand Jury on Wednesday.

William Wilson Heaton has been indicted on 13 counts by the grand jury, according to CBS Atlanta. Heaton is accused of hitting Emily Bowman on Feb. 16 with his Mazda pickup truck as she and a friend walked along Oak Street in Athens.  

Charges against Heaton include DUI, open container, reckless driving, serious injury by vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to report the accident and failure to maintain lane. 

Bowman, a former Kennesaw State University student and Woodstock High School graduate, was hospitalized in critical condition at Athens Regional Medical Center between Feb. 16 and March 8 after the incident.

She and a friend were walking on the grassy shoulder, investigators believe, when 22-year-old Heaton's pickup left the road and then hit Bowman from behind as he returned the vehicle to the road. He left the area and abandoned the truck, police believe.

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Heaton turned himself into the Clarke County Sheriff's Office and was charged with hit-and-run, driving under the influence, serious injury by vehicle, failure to maintain lane, reckless driving, and open container, according to Athens Clarke County Police.

He was granted a $50,000 bond and had to relinquish his driver’s license, abstain from drinking alcohol, remain under house arrest from 9 p.m. until 7 a.m., find a place in Athens-Clarke or Oconee counties to live before he can be fitted with an ankle monitor.

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Heaton was living with extended family in Bartow County and working in the farming industry, according to his attorney, Tony Perrotta.

Bowman continues to suffer from injuries in the incident, and has been in and out of the hospital. She remains at Children's Health Care at Scottish Rite while Roswell-based nonprofit Sunshine on a Ranney Day renovates her home in Towne Lake. 

This article was created by Patch Local Editor Kristal Dixon and includes contributions from Local Editor Brande Poulnot.


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