Tyler man arrested for arson after allegedly setting fire to wife's car

TYLER, Texas – A Smith County man was arrested on arson charges Wednesday after allegedly setting fire to his wife's car.

Justin Kennedy Hillard, 36, of Tyler, was booked into the Smith County Jail Wednesday on a first-degree arson charge accused of setting his wife's car on fire.

Smith County officials said Smith County Fire Chief Chad Hogue was called to a mobile home park in the 8500 block of Farm-to-Market Road 14 on Aug. 16 to investigate a vehicle fire. Firefighters from Smith County Emergency Services District 2 told him that Hillard was spraying water from a garden hose on the vehicle, according to an affidavit.

Hillard's wife reported that her husband poured gasoline on the vehicle during an argument, but she was able to escape and get to safety before he set it on fire. She claims Hillard was intoxicated at the time of the incident. Smith County officials said Hillard attempted to run from the scene when firefighters arrived.

An arrest warrant was issued against him on Tuesday and he turned himself in on Wednesday.