Springdale Man Sentenced To 16 Years For Killing Road Worker

Last updated Tuesday, January 29, 2008 7:41 PM CST in News

By Christopher Spencer
THE MORNING NEWS

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    FAYETTEVILLE - A Springdale man was so drunk he says he didn't know he ran over a road construction worker.

    Ezra Dion Gilbert, 29, pleaded guilty Tuesday to killing Roger Bobbitt and running away from the scene.

    Washington County Circuit Judge William Storey sentenced Gilbert to 16 years in prison for negligent homicide with 6 years suspended for fleeing the scene.

    "Mr. Gilbert, this is a senseless tragedy," said Storey after sentencing Gilbert. "I hope at some point in your life you realize what harm you have caused."

    Gilbert crossed into a lane of Sunset Avenue closed for construction and ran over Bobbitt, 58, of Huntsville. Bobbitt was dragged 168 feet, according to police. Gilbert didn't stop until he hit a rolling machine. He then fled the scene on foot.

    The accident happened in the early hours of Sept. 27. Road crews were working from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. to cause fewer traffic snarls.

    Gilbert turned himself in later that day. He registered 0.13 on a breath test more than five hours after the accident. A driver registering .08 is considered intoxicated.

    He told police he didn't know he ran over anyone and ran because he was afraid of being cited for driving while intoxicated. He'd been drinking at a local bar, Gilbert said.

    Razorback Central

    Reader Comments (9 comment(s))


    The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsibility of their authors. The Morning News does not review comments before their publication, nor do we guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by our comment policy. If you see a comment that violates our policy, please notify the web editor.

    latinosstandup wrote on Jan 29, 2008 12:07 PM:

    " i think hes lying and just wants to get out being put in jail but who knows... if he killed the wurker then he shuld get life in prison but im not the judge. so let him decide "

    adabell wrote on Jan 30, 2008 3:59 AM:

    " It does not matter if he knew he claims he did not know he ran over someone or not. He ran away. He is a danger to do society. No one is safe if drunk drivers are allowed on the street. This menace to society took a life. "

    riptide wrote on Jan 30, 2008 8:13 AM:

    " Holy cow, about four years ago a guy killed a kid while DWI and he is already out! How the H-E- double hockey sticks did this guy get hammered so hard? Are Benton County judges really that soft??? "

    shoutitout2 wrote on Jan 30, 2008 8:50 AM:

    " What about the lady in the car that ran also? Anyone know about her sentence? "

    sqirt wrote on Jan 30, 2008 10:03 AM:

    " what about the state trooper who shot and killed the handi capped boy? heck he got a medical retirement out of it and probation. and that old man that crashed into them kids that were changing a flat tire? this drunk driver should have been charged with 1st degree murder. like some body goin home to get a gun then goin out and killing some body. dinking is like loadin a gun. driving drunk is like pointin that gun a t people and pulling the trigger. but missin most targets. "

    Sel wrote on Jan 30, 2008 11:33 AM:

    " Atleast he turn hiself in. That takes a lot of courage. "

    Sel wrote on Jan 30, 2008 11:34 AM:

    " himself, oops typo. "

    adabell wrote on Jan 30, 2008 1:31 PM:

    " Sel, maybe he was brave to drive as drunk as he was. He is still a killer. He does't get points for bravery. People turn themselves in because the law is harder on them if they don't and he would get caught anyway, unless he went for the border. "

    shoutitout2 wrote on Jan 30, 2008 2:31 PM:

    " FYI, he DID NOT just turn himself in. Someone told on him and they had his vehicle anyway. Yes, he went in but only b/c he thought he would get a lighter sentence! They knew who he was already! "


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