JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The woman charged in the deadly hit-and-run crash of a 17-year-old Ed White High School senior negotiated a plea deal, avoiding a possible 15-year prison sentence.
Karlotta Dowdy, 41, was arrested in November and charged with leaving the scene of the crash resulting in serious bodily injury.
Dowdy was back in court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty.
The plea deal includes a one-year community control sentence with an ankle monitor, one year without an ankle monitor, three years probation, 100 hours of community service, a suspended driver’s license for three years, and legal and court fees.
She had faced a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison.
According to the State Attorney’s Office, Dowdy would not have faced charges if she remained on the scene. Based on the circumstances of the case, the SAO also said she did not qualify for prison time.
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Williams' mother, Tiereny Williams, who was in court on Zoom, said the situation changed her life since losing her daughter.
“A part of us has been ripped away. Never in a million years would I have thought I would have to bury my children. My baby who only started living her life,” Williams said.
Judge Jeb T. Branham explained to William’s mother that “community control” is basically house arrest and is considered a punishment.
“It is very high level of supervision. She’ll be subject to GPS monitoring if she drives, the Department of Corrections will be able to determine that based upon GPS coordinates,” he said. “If there are any violations of the terms of her supervision that are substantial, it can be revoked and she can be re-sentenced.”
Dodwy was one of the three drivers who police said hit Alaysha Williams while she was crossing Blanding Boulevard and Cedar Hills Boulevard on Sept. 30.
Williams was taken to the hospital, where she died from her injuries two days later.
The other two drivers stopped and cooperated with investigators after the crash. Because Williams was not in a crosswalk, they were not charged.
Investigators said Dowdy left the scene. She was caught on video stopping several blocks from the crash, checking her vehicle for damage, and then driving off, leaving Williams' backpack behind.
According to police, the investigation revealed that Dowdy was driving the second of three vehicles to strike Williams. Although it cannot be definitively determined which vehicle caused the injuries that led to Williams' death, video evidence indicates Dowdy’s vehicle caused significant bodily injury.
Losing Alaysha feels like a big part of Williams family’s life was taken away.
“My mental status is being tested,” Williams explained. “I’m currently attending counseling at least once a week. I haven’t been able to work nor sleep since the accident has happened.”
Not being able to see her daughter live out major moments sticks with her.
“I will not be able to see Alaysha take her senior pictures, enjoy her senior activities, play her final season of high school basketball and football, to dress her up for prom and see her walk across the stage and accept her diploma,” Williams said.
And not being able to see her live out her dreams hurts too.
“She was going to attend college to pursue her basketball career, possibly the WNBA,” she said. “Her main focus was to become a fireman. I mean a firefighter or EMS worker. My life will never be the same.”
While the loss is still painful. Williams ended her statement to the court recounting what her daughter meant to her.
“Alaysha was not only my baby girl, she was my basketball star, my football star, my nurse when I needed it, as well as my best friend,” she said.
