Alaysha Williams Obituary, Death – The community at Edward H. White High School is grieving the tragic loss of senior Alaysha Williams, a dedicated athlete who died following injuries from a hit-and-run accident on Jacksonville’s Westside. Williams, who was involved in multiple sports, notably played as a starter for both the girls basketball team and the Gateway Conference champion flag football team. She was struck by a vehicle around 6:40 a.m. on Monday.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the incident, which they have classified as a hit-and-run. The accident took place in the 3900 block of Blanding Boulevard, near Cedar Hills Boulevard. According to reports, while attempting to cross Blanding Boulevard on foot, Williams was hit by a car and subsequently transported to Orange Park Medical Center with severe injuries.
After the collision, the driver of the vehicle briefly stopped in a nearby parking lot to assess any damage before fleeing the scene and continuing south on Blanding Boulevard. Authorities are actively searching for the driver, believed to be in a white Toyota Yaris or a similar model that likely has damage to its right front end.
In the wake of Williams’ passing, the girls basketball team at Ed White paid tribute to her on their Instagram account, expressing their sorrow with heartfelt messages. They referred to her as “literally my heart,” stating, “love you to death… [jersey number] 25 forever…. she knew family… she knew love… she knew sisterhood.” The Eagle’s View Academy girls basketball team also joined in mourning, posting their support alongside the hashtag #Justice4Lay #25.
Williams was not only an exceptional player on the court, serving as the starting point guard and captain for the upcoming season, but she also made significant contributions to the flag football team. She was instrumental in leading her team to victory, scoring the winning touchdown in the Gateway Conference championship game against Fletcher, resulting in a 7-0 win in April. Her performance during her junior year was impressive, averaging 9.6 points, 3.7 assists, 4.0 steals, and 3.4 rebounds.
In light of this tragedy, grief counselors from Duval County Public Schools were made available to support students dealing with the loss. Additionally, school administrators decided to cancel the scheduled volleyball match against Paxon on Wednesday, where Williams was set to serve as a team manager.
This unfortunate incident echoes a similar tragedy that occurred three years ago in the same vicinity. In September 2021, Michael Walton Jr., a promising basketball player from Riverside High School, was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while en route to take the ACT. This serves as a painful reminder of the dangers pedestrians face on the roads.
Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the hit-and-run to come forward. The Sheriff’s Office can be contacted at (904) 630-0500 or through email at JSOCrimetips@jaxsheriff.org. Individuals wishing to remain anonymous can reach out to First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS, which offers the possibility of a reward of up to $3,000 for relevant information leading to an arrest.
As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a vibrant young life taken too soon, honoring Williams’ memory as they seek justice for her tragic death.