CLERMONT, Ga. — A Clermont man faces multiple charges after authorities say he set fire to his home, then crashed his vehicle into it while trying to leave the burning residence.
31-year-old William Underwood is charged with first-degree arson and DUI following the weekend incident.
According to officials, Hall County firefighters and deputies responded shortly before 2 a.m. Saturday, April 25, to a report of a residential fire in the 5200 block of U.S. 129/Cleveland Highway. When they arrived, they found heavy fire in a bedroom. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames and determined no one was inside the home, said Hall County Fire Rescue Public Information Officer Kimberlie Ledsinger.
While crews were responding, Underwood walked into Hall County Fire Station 2 on Cleveland Highway seeking medical attention for an ankle injury he suffered while jumping from a window to escape the burning bedroom, said Hall County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Derreck Booth.
After jumping from the window, Booth said Underwood backed his 2017 Hyundai Accent into the home’s basement wall twice before driving away. The collisions caused damage but no injuries.
Booth said a preliminary investigation indicated Underwood was under the influence of methamphetamine when he struck the house. Deputies arrested him for DUI drugs, a misdemeanor, after he was released from the hospital Saturday morning. Underwood posted a $1,300 bond and was released from jail Sunday.
Following further investigation, the Hall County Fire Marshal’s Office determined that Underwood set the fire at his home. He was arrested on the arson charge on Monday, April 27, and returned to the Hall County Jail.
