NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A family is now in mourning after their loved one was tragically killed on Interstate 30.
36-year-old father of three, Jamekio Williams of North Little Rock, was killed last Saturday after his car broke down near mile marker 133 on I-30 eastbound in Pulaski County.
According to Arkansas State Police, Williams’ 2009 Mazda broke down in the far left lane. He had stepped out of the car to try and fix it when he was hit by a tractor-trailer that didn’t see him.
Williams’ sister, Raquella Robinson shared that his loss has been devastating to the entire family, but especially to his wife and three children, aged 1, 3, and 5.
“His kids won't get to understand what a wonderful father they had,” Robinson said. "He was present. He made sure to drop them off at school. He didn't want to miss one minute of their lives.”
Williams was hit at around 2:45 a.m. when he was on the way home from an event.
Robinson said her mother called her at about 3:30 a.m. to share the news, and added that in that moment, everything stopped.
"All I heard is, your brother [has] been hit,” Robinson said. "And I'm like, “I'm sorry?” It was to the point that I even started calling his phone. I'm like no, no, no. Like, it has to be a mistake."
Robinson said her big brother's smile lit up a room. He was a happy person who always looked on the bright side. She said it hurts that the accident could’ve been avoided, and she hopes nobody else has to go through what her family has.
"I would just encourage everyone to stay focused while on the road,” Robinson said. “Because one split second could change everyone's life. And once you're in a situation like this, there's nothing you could do to take it back."
Dave Parker with the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) agreed with Robinson's advice. He said especially when it's late at night, pedestrians and drivers alike should be extra alert, and stay in their cars when possible.
“Our workers, just as an example, they're wearing their vest out there to be extra seen,” Parker described. “And unfortunately, they're [sometimes} involved in accidents."
Safety reminders aren’t the only ones that the family wants to give to others in the wake of this tragedy.
“Take time to love on your family members and make those memories while they're here,” Robinson said, “Because tomorrow isn't promised to anyone."
Robinson has set up a GoFundMe for funeral expenses for Williams, but also to help provide for his grieving wife and children.
“It was about making sure that we can lay him to rest properly. But also wanting to raise money to at least give some type of relief to his wife and kid," said Robinson. "So that for at least the next couple of months, they could get by without having to balance grieving along with the hardship of bills and cost of living.”
Williams' family is currently gathered in Crossett, Arkansas, where they will hold his memorial service Friday night, with the funeral on Saturday.
If you’re interested in donating, the link to GoFundMe can be found by clicking here.
