JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Family, friends and classmates at Edward H. White High School are mourning the loss of a senior who died from injuries suffered in an apparent hit-and-run crash on Jacksonville's Westside.
Alaysha Williams, a multi-sport athlete who started on the school's girls basketball team and Gateway Conference champion flag football team, died from injuries suffered after being struck by a car Monday morning at approximately 6:40 a.m.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has described the crash as a hit-and-run, and is searching for the driver.
Police said the crash occurred in the 3900 block of Blanding Boulevard, near Cedar Hills Boulevard. While attempting to cross Blanding on foot, Williams was struck by a car and was transported to Orange Park Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.
The driver stopped in a nearby parking lot, inspected the vehicle for damage and then continued southward on Blanding Boulevard. The Sheriff's Office is seeking the driver of a white Toyota Yaris or similar vehicle with right front end damage.
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."
In an Instagram post from the Eagle's View Academy girls basketball team, the team wrote, "Eagle's View Academy Women's Basketball stands with Ed White Women's Basketball as the community mourns the loss of Alaysha Williams. #Justice4Lay #25."
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.
Grief counselors from Duval County Public Schools arrived Wednesday at school to assist students. White administrators canceled Wednesday night's scheduled match against Paxon in volleyball, where Williams served as a team manager.
The crash occurred a short distance from a similar tragedy three years ago. In September 2021, Riverside High School boys basketball player Michael Walton Jr. was on his way to take the ACT when he was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver about 3 miles northeast on Edgewood Avenue.
Anyone with information about the hit-and-run can contact the Sheriff's Office at (904) 630-0500 or via email at JSOCrimetips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous and be eligible for up to a $3,000 reward, people can call First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
Police are still looking for the vehicle, which is pictured at the bottom of this story.
