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HURRICANE — A man who allegedly drove off while another man was on the hood of his car, causing the man to fall off and subsequently die from his injuries, was charged Wednesday with automobile homicide.
Randahl Keith Hill, 25, of Hurricane, was charged in 5th District Court with automobile homicide, a second-degree felony, failing to remain at the scene of an accident, a third-degree felony, DUI, a class B misdemeanor, and reckless driving, a class B misdemeanor.
According to Hurricane police, Hill and Bruce A. Smale, 52, of Arkansas, had been drinking together at 300 North and 35 West in Hurricane. An officer familiar with the investigation said the victim was the boyfriend of Hill's mother.
About 5 a.m., for an unknown reason, Smale got on the hood of Hill's car.
"Randahl told investigators that the victim was on the hood of the vehicle as he drove away very quickly and continued driving as he fell off," according to a prepared statement from police. "Detectives are still investigating what led to the victim being on the hood of the vehicle."
Hill allegedly drove off after Smale fell off his hood. But he then returned to his driveway before police arrived.
Shortly after the incident, a message was posted on Hill's Facebook page: "Well im going for along time I love you all good bye."