JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Before halftime Friday night football began, Ed White High School honored the memory of a fallen athlete who died two days after she was involved in a hit-and-run crash.
It was the first home game since senior and multi-sport athlete Alaysha Williams was hit by a white car while crossing Blanding Blvd. near the intersection with Confederate Point Road.
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The 17-year-old was critically injured and died in the hospital on Oct. 2.
Ed White played against Riverside on Friday night. During halftime, Riverside presented Ed White with a sympathy card signed by students and faculty and a gift basket to show support for the grieving high school.
Williams’ family did not attend the game but said they made plans to come to the first girls’ basketball home game in a few weeks.
The seniors at the game wore red on Senior Night to remember Williams. Caleb, who was her best friend since 9th grade, said Williams was known for her red hair.
“The thing about Alaysha I appreciated the most was whenever I saw her, she was always smiling. Any at-home problems she had, she never showed it in school,” Caleb said.
Caleb said it’s been hard coping with her sudden death.
“You can‘t teach people how to grieve,” Caleb said. “But what I realize is I am not asking myself, ’Why did it have to be Alaysha?' I started to ask myself what was the purpose behind her passion. I learned that we are on borrowed time and have to live forth without regretting. I need to stop regretting and start living.”
Ed White’s Vice Principal Kelisha Simpson regarded her as an “amazing student.”
“We really loved her, and we‘re just happy that we’re able to come together and celebrate her,” Simpson said. “We‘re still in prayers for everyone here, praying for the family because we know she can’t be replaced but we are thankful we did get to experience her.”
Alexis Williams, Alaysha’s sister, said her family is doing the best they can to heal.
“Just keep pushing, getting up every day, doing what needs to be done. A lot of prayer works and helps along the way. Just gathering with family day in and day out is keeping us uplifted,” Williams said.
She also thanked the community for its continuous support.
“It‘s been none stop of just Ed White and alumni coming together continually doing something in her name. So, we’re really glad about that,” Williams said.
The Jacksonville Sheriff‘s Office has not provided any updates on arrests in Williams’ case.