Hineston, La. (4/28/2026) — Ladonna Delrie indicted by a Rapides Parish Grand Jury on April 28, 2026, in connection with the death of former Sheriff William E. Hilton, according to District Attorney Phillip Terrell.
Delrie, 53, of Pollock, now faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated flight from an officer, and simple burglary. The indictment follows her initial arrest in March, when deputies first booked her on multiple charges tied to the incident.
The case began on March 23, when authorities responded to a reported hit-and-run in the Hineston area. Investigators said Hilton returned to his residence and encountered Delrie leaving. When he approached, she allegedly ran him over. He later died from his injuries.
Authorities identified a blue Nissan as the suspect vehicle. Deputies and Louisiana State Police located it on LA 28 near Leavines Road. Troopers attempted a stop, but the driver fled, leading to a high-speed pursuit that exceeded 100 miles per hour. Officers deployed spike strips, disabling the vehicle near LA 28 and Cloverleaf Boulevard. Delrie was taken into custody without further incident.
Earlier updates from the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office addressed rumors about a possible release. Officials confirmed Delrie remains in custody, with bond set at $5.3 million. They also noted her transfer to another facility is standard due to the nature of the case and Hilton’s association with the agency.
Potential Penalties Under Louisiana Law
First-degree murder (La. R.S. 14:30)
• Death penalty, or
• Life imprisonment at hard labor without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence
Aggravated flight from an officer (La. R.S. 14:108.1)
• Up to 5 years at hard labor
• Fines up to $2,000
• Penalties may increase if serious bodily injury or death occurs during the incident
Simple burglary (La. R.S. 14:62)
• Up to 12 years at hard labor
• Possible fines
If convicted, a life sentence for first-degree murder would be served without parole. Additional sentences may run either consecutively or concurrently, depending on the court.
The investigation remains active. Authorities continue to ask anyone with information to contact the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division or Crime Stoppers.
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