William Heaton: Man accused in hit and run of KSU student faces judge

The man accused in a hit and run incident that critically injured a Kennesaw State Student faced a judge on Wednesday.

In February, prosecutors say 22-year-old William Wilson Heaton hit 19-year-old Emily Bowman with his truck in Athens, and left the scene. Heaton has wo an ankle monitoring device since his arrest.

He said nothing to reporters after a judge denied his request to have the ankle monitor removed. The judge also ordered Heaton pay for the monitoring after the crash that left Bowman disabled.

Emily Bowman. (Photo courtesy of the Bowman family)

"He's a resident of Bartow County. He works in Bartow County. He's working 60 to 70 hours a week. Bond condition requires him to stay here in Clarke and Oconee County. We just thought that was unfair and a little to restrictive, and we just wanted him to go to work pay for his defense and pay for his restitution if that's ever ordered. He needs to ea a living. I'm his lawyer. I can't prepare if he's not allowed to come to Bartow County," said Heaton's attoey said Anthony Perrotta.

William Heaton on right as he left Athens-Clarke County court, Wednesday, May 15.

Bowman's father emotionally told the judge why bond conditions shouldn't change against a man he personally holds responsible for his daughter's injuries.

"Hearing it is a piece of cake. What we're having to deal with every day at Shepard, that's been the rough part. Emily's life has really changed. We're going to take her home, you know, ten days before her 20th birthday. She's going to be going home in a wheelchair because of Wilson," said Emily's father, Dale Bowman.

Heaton faces several charges, including felony hit and run and DUI.