Former Rapides Parish Sheriff William Earl Hilton was killed early Monday after being hit by a car in a hit-and-run crash in the Hayneston area, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office confirmed Hilton’s death just after 6 p.m., saying “the facts of the incident remain under investigation.”
“Chief Hilton’s leadership, dedication and service to our community left a lasting impact, and we know this loss will be felt in many parishes, across the state and across the country.”
The names of those detained have not been released by the Sheriff’s Office, which cited an “ongoing complex investigation” in its initial news release. This was reiterated in the news of Hilton’s death.
At around 1 p.m., police responded to a report of a hit-and-run accident in which “the suspect allegedly ran over the victim and intentionally fled the scene,” according to the release.
Hilton was taken to the hospital by helicopter.
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The suspect, driving a blue Nissan Moreno, was spotted “traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed” on Leavines Road west of Los Angeles Highway 28, it read. The driver failed to stop and was traveling at over 100 mph.
The spike strips were placed on Cloverleaf Boulevard at La. 28 West, near the Walmart Supercenter. After hitting these, the driver was stopped and taken into custody.
In announcing Hilton’s death, the Sheriff’s Office urged people to “keep his family, friends and RPSO family in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate this difficult time together.”
This article originally appeared in Alexander Town Talk: Former Rapides Police Chief William Earl Hilton dies in hit-and-run crash
