UPDATE: Victim of Athens Hit-and-Run Recovering in Rehab Center

Mar 07, 2013 -- 8:15am

By: Kevin Karel & Laura-Jane Hatcher (WRGA News)

UPDATE: March 8th, 2013

The 19-year-old Kennesaw State University student who was hit by a drunk Bartow County driver is now recovering in a rehabilitation center in Atlanta.

The Atlanta Journal Constituion reports that on Friday, Emily Bowman was moved from an Athens Hospital to the Sheppard Center in Buckhead, where she will continue her recovery from the February 16th hit-and-run that left her in critical condition for over three weeks.

Police say Bowman was struck by a car driven by 22-year-old William Wilson Heaton Jr. or Rydal. According to Athens Clarke County Police, Heaton Jr. is facing six charges including felony Hit-and-Run, DUI and Serious Injury by Vehicle. He is being held in jail on a $50,000 bond.

Bowman remains unresponsive, but has movement in her arms and legs.

Previously:

Police have arrested a Bartow County man in connection with the hit-and-run crash that has left a Woodstock teen in critical condition for nearly three weeks.

The AJC reports William Wilson Heaton Jr., age 22 of Rydal, will appear in a Clarke County courtroom Thursday afternoon. Athens Clarke-County Police issued a statement saying Heaton is facing six charges including felony Hit-and-Run, D-U-I and Serious Injury by Vehicle. Heaton allegedly struck 19-year-old Emily Bowman in Athens with his truck the night of February 16th. Police say the vehicle hit Bowman from behind as she was walking in the grass.

She has movement in her arms and legs but remains unresponsive. Her father told the AJC that Emily is now breathing on her own and has made significant progress.

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