RSSMarion County Student Struck and Killed While Walking to Bus Stop
An entire tight-knit community of close friends, classmates, and family members are in mourning this evening after a beloved Florida boy was struck and killed by a car while walking to his school bus stop early Wednesday morning in Marion County.
According to preliminary accident reports, it was approximately 6:55 a.m. on November 3, 2021, when 10-year-old Ja’Siah Williams and his mother were walking along County Road 318, with Williams positioned closest to the traffic. As they approached the intersection where they typically cross from north to south in order to reach the bus stop, a 34-year-old Silver Springs man driving a 1998 Ford Escort entered the area from the westbound direction. Unable to avoid a collision with the child, who was now crossing the road with his mother, the Ford Escort crashed into the young boy. After this initial collision, Florida Highway Patrol officers stated that the vehicle careened off the street and crashed into a nearby mailbox before finally coming to a complete stop when it slammed into a tree.
Members of the Marion County Fire Rescue arrived at the scene of the tragic auto accident within ten minutes of receiving the call from local dispatchers. They worked feverishly to stabilize the 10-year-old victim and transported him to UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville for additional medical assistance. Sadly, he was not able to overcome the severity of his injuries and he passed away shortly after arriving at the emergency room. His mother was unharmed in the incident.
The 34-year-old driver of the Ford Escort remained at the crash site after the collision occurred and was said to be in full cooperation with local Marion County authorities. Deputies with the Florida Highway Patrol retrieved a blood sample from the individual, which is standard procedure with accidents involving serious injuries or death.
Ja’Siah Williams was in the fifth grade at Reddick-Collier Elementary School who loved playing video games and getting hugs from his grandma. Grief counseling has been made available at his school.
An official investigation is currently ongoing by the Florida Highway Patrol. It is unclear at this time if the driver of the Ford Escort will face any legal ramifications for his involvement in this truly devastating accident.
James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.