Drive-by investigation continues

Published 12:00 am Monday, December 29, 2003

Two people were assaulted Monday evening after their sports utility vehicle was allegedly run into an embankment on Fletcher Road. William Christopher Willhite and Sandra Renee Anderson Willhite were taken to the Andalusia Regional Hospital where they were treated and released.

"There were no serious injuries," said Andalusia detective James Beaman, who is heading the investigation. "She received a wound from a sharp object to her leg."

The couple had a young child with them, J.T. Anderson, about 8 months old, who Beaman said was uninjured.

Beaman said there have been

no big breaks in the case yet, although there are two suspects.

"We have two fugitives we're looking for. We don't want to give their names until they're picked up," said Beaman.

Initial reports at the scene indicated that guns had been fired into the SUV.

"We believe the vehicle was shot into," said Beaman. "Two different sorts of ammunition were found on the ground."

Beaman said it is believed that three vehicles were involved in the reported assault, including a small truck, red in color, a white vehicle and one other, description unknown. He said he believed all were transporting people involved in the incident.

The call came through E-911 just before 7 p.m. Monday. According to one of the victim's relatives, she received a call from the couple, telling her they had been run off the road and "beaten up."

The investigation is ongoing. If the vehicle was fired into, it is a Class B felony, and carries a punishment of 2 to 20 years.