Corporal John William Belk III, 39, died in an automobile accident on 8/24/08 in Auburn, Alabama just after 2:30 p.m. He was off duty and sole occupant driving his black jeep when his vehicle and a green Ford Explorer collided head-on on Sandhill Road, just east of South College Street in Auburn. Belk died of multiple blunt force injuries and was dead on impact. He was wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident. Belk was driving to a family member or friend’s house for an early dinner before he started work. The two occupants of the SUV fled on foot. Opelika police used dogs to track the two, and both men were apprehended. The driver, Jimmy Vickerstaff Jr., 31, of Auburn was booked at 8:10 p.m. and charged with manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident with injuries. He was booked into the Lee County Detention Facility and was being held on bond. No charges have been filed against the passenger. An investigation is under way to find out why Mr. Vickerstaff’s vehicle went out of control. Belk worked previously at the Phenix City Police Department
On March 9, 2009, Lee County District Attorney said Jimmy Vickerstaff Jr. who was driving under the influence of alcohol and cocaine pleaded guilty to manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident in Lee County Circuit Court and was sentenced to 10 years behind bars.
