LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – Lauderdale County Sheriff Ward Calhoun confirmed that William Joe Garrett is now in police custody as of 1:35 p.m. following his arrest near a business off Highway 11 South. Deputies located Garrett after receiving a tip about his whereabouts. He has been transported to the Meridian Police Department, which is leading the investigation into the fatal hit-and-run earlier this month.
Garrett is suspected in the death of 79-year-old John Culpepper, a certified public accountant at the local agency Culpepper & Culpepper. The incident occurred on Tuesday, October 22, on King Road, where Culpepper was struck by a vehicle and later pronounced dead at the scene.
Meridian Police identified Garrett as the suspect in the accident, which has prompted a call for assistance from the public.
The investigation is being led by Acting Captain Dareall Thompson.
Authorities stress the importance of community involvement in helping bring justice to the victim’s family as the investigation continues.
Image: William Joe Garrett
