In Memory Of: Ron Covington - LA - 04.04.08

[TowForce]

Funeral services incomplete for Warren's Wrecker employee killed in hit-and-run

A West Monroe family is planning one man's funeral, while the man accused of running over him with a log truck walks free.

Funeral services for the victim, Ronald Dean Covington Jr., 44, of West Monroe, an employee with Warren's Wrecker Service, are incomplete under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home in West Monroe.

Julius Greely, 66, of 905 Robin Drive, Monroe, posted $13,150 bond and was released from Ouachita Correctional Center early today, just hours after state police arrested him at his home on charges of negligent homicide, hit-and-run and failure to obey the direction of police.

State police said the wreck occurred at 10:24 p.m. Friday on Louisiana 34 near Graphic Packaging in Ouachita Parish.

State troopers and Ouachita Parish sheriff's deputies were clearing the scene from an earlier minor wreck. Covington was reportedly sweeping debris off the roadway when he was hit by a 2008 International log truck.

Trooper Mark Dennis said at the time of the crash, officers were directing traffic around the scene when the log truck approached and failed to stop even after officers instructed him to do so.

After Covington was struck, the truck driver left the scene, police said.

The Ouachita Parish Coroner's Office pronounced Covington dead at the scene.

Authorities were able to identify Greely as the driver of the log truck, and all agencies were on the lookout for him.

While looking for the truck driver, Ouachita Parish sheriff's deputy Shannon Harkins, 33, a K-9 officer, was involved in a collision with another vehicle.

State troopers investigated the second accident and said that Nikki L. Wilkerson, 17, Downsville, was driving a 2003 Chrysler Sebring on Louisiana 837 in Calhoun when she reportedly sideswiped Harkin's 2008 Ford Crown Victoria.

Ouachita Parish deputies said the patrol car, which is specially outfitted to carry a dog, was badly damaged.

Both Harkins and Wilkerson were taken to Glenwood Regional Medical Center, treated for minor injuries and released.

Harkin's K-9, Chucky, was also injured in the crash. Deputies said one of his toenails was ripped out.

Wilkerson was cited for careless operation.

Troopers then received information about Greely's whereabouts, and arrested him at his home around 1:37 a.m. today.

Dennis said that troopers determined that Greely knew or should have known that he struck Covington with his truck.

Alcohol is not suspected to be a factor in the crash.