Child struck by car, killed in Marion County

A 10-year-old boy was struck by a vehicle and killed while walking to his bus stop on Wednesday morning.

Ja’siah Williams, a fifth-grade student at Reddick-Collier Elementary School, died at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville from injuries incurred during the incident.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Ja’siah was struck shortly before 7am. He was walking along with his mother, who was not injured, when the accident happened.

A 1998 Ford Escort driven by a 34-year-old male struck the child at 11025 W. Highway 318, reported Lt. Patrick Riordan, public information officer for troop B of the Florida Highway Patrol. The driver was not injured.

The Marion County Crisis Team’s grief counselors talked with 12 students, the school bus driver and aide, and others at Reddick-Collier Elementary this morning.

“Our Crisis Team remains on alert and will be at the school tomorrow morning as needed once the RCE community learns more about this loss,” said Kevin Christian, director of Public Relations at Marion County Public Schools.

Lt. Riordan of the FHP said that no charges have been filed as of press time.

In incidents involving a fatal injury, specially trained troopers investigate what occurred before, during and after the incident, Riordan said.

“They consider the weather, lighting, actions of the pedestrians, speed limit, seat belt use, alcohol consumption and other factors. Some cases 90-plus days to conclude,” he added.

As for drivers on Marion County’s many two-lane highways, Riordan reminds all drivers to maintain, at all times, safe driving habits.

“We can always be aware of our surroundings especially when we’re driving early mornings, where children are crossing,” he said. “Drive the speed limit and be observant.”