TYLER, Texas — A Smith County man was arrested Wednesday for arson after allegedly setting his wife's car on fire.
Justin Kennedy Hillard, 36, of Tyler, was booked into Smith County Jail on Wednesday on a second-degree felony arson charge, according to officials in Smith County. He is accused of setting his wife's vehicle on fire.
Smith County officials said Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue was called out to an RV park in the 8500 block of FM 14 on Aug. 16 to investigate a vehicle fire. He was told by firefighters from Smith County Emergency Services District 2 that Hillard was spraying water from a garden hose on the vehicle, an arrest affidavit shows.
Hillard's wife reported that during an argument with her husband, he poured gas onto the vehicle, but she was able to escape and run to safety before he set it on fire. She alleges that Hillard was intoxicated at the time of the incident. Smith County officials said Hillard attempted to run away from the scene when fire crews arrived.
A warrant for his arrest was issued Tuesday, and he turned himself in on Wednesday.