Texarkana Man Charged in Fatal Hit-and-Run of Highway Worker

On Monday, July 21, there were three fatalities from two of the three separate early morning accidents in the Westbound lanes of I-30 near Hope, Arkansas. Now, a Texarkana man has been arrested in connection with the first fatality that morning, the hit-and-run death of a highway worker that began that early-morning traffic tieup that lasted for several hours.

Original Report: Names Released From Overnight Wrecks In Fulton

George Willis, 64, was taken into custody Thursday afternoon at the Hempstead County Detention Center after arrangements were made for him to turn himself in. He is charged with Leaving the Scene of a Collision Involving Death, a Class B felony. His bond has been set at $25,000.

The charge stems from that first fatal crash that occurred around 1 AM on July 21 near the 18-mile marker of I-30 in Hempstead County. Arkansas State Police (ASP) said Jonathan Gary Williams, 44, of Sherwood, was working overnight as a contractor for the Arkansas Department of Transportation when he was struck and killed by the vehicle that Willis was allegedly driving.

Williams had been operating from a specialized trailer, placing reflectors along the center line of the interstate, when he was hit by a 2004 Buick Century. The vehicle was found disabled and abandoned at the scene. Witnesses reported seeing the driver flee on foot.

Special Agents with the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division later identified Willis as the suspect and coordinated his surrender.

The investigation is ongoing.