JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has made an arrest in the fatal hit-and-run crash that took the life of an Edward White High School senior on the city's Westside in late September, the agency announced Tuesday.
The crash occurred in the 3900 block of Blanding Boulevard in the early morning hours of Sept. 30, near Cedar Hills Boulevard. While attempting to cross Blanding on foot, 17-year-old Alaysha Williams was hit by three vehicles and taken to Orange Park Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. Williams died a few days later.
Karlotta Dowdy, 41, was taken into custody Friday, JSO said. Dowdy drove one of the three vehicles that hit Williams, and was the only one who did not stop, according to police. Detectives obtained footage from a nearby business showing her stopping several blocks away, checking the vehicle for damage, and then driving off. She left Williams’ backpack behind, JSO said.
The agency said due to the circumstances, and because Williams was not in a crosswalk, the two other drivers were not charged.
Authorities identified the vehicle belonging to Dowdy, a white Toyota Yaris. Police said Dowdy initially denied hitting Williams, claiming she had struck another vehicle at the scene, but the evidence indicated Dowdy "knew or should have known she had struck a person."
"Although it cannot be definitively determined which vehicle caused the injuries that led to Williams' death, video evidence indicates Ms. Dowdy’s vehicle caused significant bodily injury," JSO said in a press release.
The outpouring of support after Williams' death from family, friends and classmates was immense.
The Ed White girls basketball Instagram account posted a tribute to Williams on Wednesday: "Literally my heart, love you to death… [jersey number] 25 forever ... she knew family ... she knew love ... she knew sisterhood."
A standout on the basketball court as the starting point guard for the Commanders, Williams served as a captain for the team, entering the new season after averaging 9.6 points, 3.7 assists, 4.0 steals and 3.4 rebounds as a junior.
Williams helped White to the Gateway Conference flag football championship for Duval County Public Schools, scoring the game-winning touchdown to defeat Fletcher 7-0 in the final in April. She also helped the school qualify for the Florida High School Athletic Association regional finals.
“While these cases are heartbreaking to investigate, bringing answers to the victim’s family is paramount,” JSO’s Traffic Homicide Unit supervisor Sgt. Robert Hungerford stated. “Detectives worked swiftly to gather evidence, conduct interviews, and make the necessary arrest.”
