Livingston School board President Arrested in Hit and Run Fatality

State Police arrested Livingston Parish School Board President Malcolm Sibley on Sunday morning, almost 30 hours after a 21-year-old Mississippi man was killed in a hit-and-run on a St. Helena Parish road.
The hit-and-run occurred shortly before 5 a.m. Saturday when William Iasigi, of Liberty, Miss., was driving on La. 43 South, Trooper First Class Melissa Matey said.
Iasigi stopped his 2008 Chevrolet pickup in the middle of the road and got out and he was struck by a 2012 GMC 2500 pickup driven by Sibley, Matey said.
Jarrett Wilson, 23, of Osyka, Miss., a passenger in Iasigi’s pickup, and a pedestrian who was walking nearby brought Iasigi to a hospital where he died, Matey said.
Troopers do not know why Iasigi stopped the truck or got out, Matey said.
Troopers collected evidence from the scene and received several tips from the community that led to the arrest, Matey said.
Troopers booked Sibley, 65, 33176 Weiss Road, Walker, into St. Helena Parish Jail on a count of felony hit-and-run at 9:40 a.m. Sunday. Jail officials said Sibley posted bail and was released; however, the official said she did not know the amount of his bail.
Attempts to reach Sibley and Sibley’s family members Sunday were unsuccessful.
Also, attempts to reach Iasigi’s family were unsuccessful.
Livingston Parish School Superintendent John Watson declined to speculate on Sibley’s future with the School Board.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families involved,” Watson said.
First-term board member Kellee Hennessy Dickerson said she was in disbelief by the news.
“It just couldn’t be him,” she said. “My prayers are going out to the victim’s family and to Mr. Malcolm’s family.”
She said Sibley has gone out of his way to help her understand the intricacies of School Board policy and procedure.
“He’s very fair and a very compassionate man. He’s very compassionate about the kids,” she said. “I’m going to pray for our parish and our school system.”
Dickerson said she thinks co-chairman Buddy Mincey Jr. will serve in Sibley’s place if the need arises, which is what happened when Sibley had the flu and could not attend meetings.
Attempts to reach Mincey on Sunday were unsuccessful.
Milton Hughes has known Sibley for more than 50 years and said the actions troopers say Sibley committed, including running from the scene, is out of character.
“He’s as good a citizen and person that I know,” said Hughes, a Livingston Parish School Board member. “I can’t imagine that he’d run. He’s a top-notch man. He’s not somebody who would run off from something like that.”
Hughes said Sibley has served about 18 years on the board and while there have been other good board presidents, “There has never been one better.”
“There’s no way I can say enough good things about him,” Hughes said.
Fellow board member Keith Martin was shocked to hear about Sibley’s arrest.
“I think he’s a good person,” Martin said. “I know Malcolm Sibley, and this wasn’t an intentional thing. If this did in fact happen, he didn’t want it to happen.”
Martin said to his knowledge, Sibley did not drink or drive recklessly.
Martin said he began hearing rumblings about Sibley’s arrest about noon Sunday but was skeptical until later Sunday night.
Sibley represents District 1, which includes Doyle High School, Doyle Elementary School, Frost School, North Corbin Elementary, North Corbin Junior High and half of Holden, according to the School Board website.
Hit and run accidents occur all too frequently in Louisiana and Texas.  At times, the accused leaves the scene in fear, shock or due to intoxication.  But whatever the reason, leaving the scene of an accident that caused a serious injury is illegal.  It also implies guilt or responsibility for the accident and injury.
Hit and run accidents present unique challenges for a civil or injury attorney hired to represent the injured person or the survivors of one killed in the accident.  The fleeing driver must be located and physical evidence collected.  In the case where the fleeing driver is not located, the experienced injury attorney must search for other insurance coverage that may apply to the accident and injury.  The proven trial attorneys at Fisher Injury Lawyers have experience handling hit and run and other complex car accident cases.  We have th experience and resources to immediately and efficiently investigate the car wreck and to identify all potential sources of recovery.  We have the track record that shows we will maximize the value of your case.  Call us. We are here to help.

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