GR native dies in Alabama hit-run

OPELIKA, Ala (AP) - Alabama state troopers are searching for a sports utility vehicle involved in a hit-and-run collision that killed 32-year-old Grand Rapids native John Louis Simmons, 32, who was living in Phenix City.

Lee County Coroner Bill Harris said Simmons was struck between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday while walking along U.S. 280/431 near Lee County Road 254 in the Salem area. A passing motorist found his body around 9:20 a.m. Sunday.

State troopers said they are looking for a 2000-2004 model GMC Yukon that may have damage to the right front headlight area.

The coroner said Simmons was a former serviceman stationed at Fort Benning in Georgia.

Simmons was being given a ride home from Auburn in the early morning hours on Sunday when he apparently got into an argument with the people he was with and got out of the vehicle. The coroner said Simmons appeared to be walking on the edge of the highway when he was struck.

State troopers ask that anyone with information contact the Opelika State Trooper Post at 334.745.4651.

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Simmons enlisted in the military when he was 21, his family told 24 Hour News 8, and thought of himself as a professional warrior. He served in the infantry and the 101st Airborne and completed three tours of duty in Iraq.

He left the military to care for his son in Alabama, where he was enrolled at Columbus State University . Family members said he planned to move back to Grand Rapids and then re-enlist.

"He was a great man," his brother Steve Simmons, said. "He servied his country. He did three tours in Iraq and he was going to enlist again. That's what his plan was when he was done with school."

He added, "He was my hero, that's for sure. I looked up to him my entire life. I tried to follow in his footsteps because he set a great example for me and his sister."

The Simmons family plans to bring his body back to Grand Rapids burial. The military, they said, declined to help because he was not on active duty when he died.

"He was the greatest man I've known in my entire life," his brother said. "I've looked up to him and I know everybody else, everybody loved him. I mean, he was such a lovable guy."

24 Hour News 8's Henry Erb contributed to this report.