News

Suspect arrested in Athens hit-and-run; bond set at $50k

Athens hit and run William Wilson Heaton Jr., 22, is charged with hit-and-run for allegedly running over Emily Bowman, 19, in Athens Feb. 16. (Athens-Clarke Co. police/Special)

Almost three weeks after a Kennesaw State student was run over in Athens, police have arrested the man they think is responsible.

William Wilson Heaton Jr., 22, is facing six charges for allegedly hitting Emily Bowman, 19, on Feb. 16.

News/Talk WSB’s Richard Sangster confirmed Heaton was taken into custody around midnight Thursday.

Heaton’s charges include felony hit-and-run, DUI and serious injury by motor vehicle.  Bond for Heaton was set at $50,000 during a court hearing Thursday morning.  In addition, Heaton must wear an ankle monitor.

Emily's father, Dale Bowman told Sangster that he understands it is a bondable offense, but he wishes, "the bond was higher."

Meanwhile, Emily Bowman is still in a coma at an Athens hospital, but her family says she is making significant progress.

“She’s a fighter and has a will to live,” Dale Bowman told the AJC.

The Woodstock teenager is now breathing on her own and her family is hopeful she’ll eventually be able to move to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta for continued rehabilitation.

Bowman underwent emergency brain surgery after the wreck. She can move her legs and arms.

“That’s all we want is baby steps,” Dale Bowman said. “We’ve got plenty of time to get her better. But it’s going to be such a long process. What a big interruption in her life.”

His daughter was celebrating a friend’s birthday in Athens when she was hit by a pickup truck on Oak Street, police said. Bowman was walking in the grass when she was hit from behind.

Police later found the truck about a half-mile away. It was abandoned at an apartment complex. The truck’s front passenger was damaged and there were empty beer cans in the truck bed, police said.

Officers pieced together surveillance tapes from business and other cameras around the city to put together a timeline of Heaton’s actions that night and used that to issue a warrant for his arrest.