Sheriff Sam Craft issued a statement about the death of a Leesville man this week.
Sherell Lewis Jr., 31, was critically injured when he was hit by a truck while trying to move debris from La. 171 in the Billy Goat Hill area. State Police are investigating the incident. He died of his injuries.
Following the incident, posts on social media show alleged texts from the driver of the vehicle who hit Lewis using a racial epithet to refer to Lewis and laughing, via text, about the incident. To date, that driver has not been booked with any crime.
“I am appalled at the content of the social media messages that were posted after the incident. This post is unacceptable and has no place in our society. The inflammatory words that were used were morally wrong. I have the utmost confidence in the Louisiana State Police and their ability to thoroughly investigate this incident. I encourage any citizen who has information regarding the accident to contact the Louisiana State Police – Troop E, Alexandria, La. (318) 487-5911," the sheriff said.
"Although the incendiary language used in the social media post is morally and socially unacceptable, the post itself, did not violate any criminal code within Louisiana law," a release from Craft states. "Sheriff Craft and the employees of the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Sherell Lewis Jr."
To read our story about the crash, click here.
