Heaton Ordered To Keep Ankle Monitor, Remain in Oconee County

A Clarke County judge rejected a petition from the man accused of running over Emily Bowman in an Athens hit-and-run accident to remove his ankle monitor and leave Oconee County. 

A judge last week denied William Wilson Heaton's request to remove the monitor and move back to Bartow County with his grandfather, according to WSB-TV.

Heaton lived in Rydal and worked in the farming industry when Bowman was hit the night of Feb. 16, according to his Cartersville attorney, Tony Perotta.

WSB-TV reported Heaton made the request so he could return to work in order to pay for his legal expenses. But he must remain in Oconee County with his mother.

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 she was hit by a pick-up truck as she and a friend walked along Oak Street. 

They were walking on the grassy shoulder, investigators believe, when 22-year-old Heaton's Mazda 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.

Heaton surrendered himself to the Clarke County Sheriff's Office and has been charged with hit-and-run, driving under the influence, serious injury by vehicle, failure to maintain lane, reckless driving and open container. 

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. He was also fitted with an ankle monitor. 

Bowman, who lives in Woodstock, was initially moved to the Shepherd Center, but later discharged to give her more time to recover before taking on physical therapy. She was recently admitted to Children's Health Care at Scottish Rite and is slated to come home on May 29. 

Sunshine on a Ranney Day, a Roswell-based nonprofit organization, has pitched in to help renovate the Bowman home to make it more accessible for Bowman.

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