The family of Kildonan Primary School Headmistress Sonia Williams is calling for justice following her death in a hit-and-run accident at Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, on Monday afternoon.
Williams, 51, of Chesney Housing Scheme, died after she was struck by a motor car shortly after leaving school for the day.
Her son-in-law, Noah Sills, said the family was still trying to come to grips with the sudden loss of a woman he remembered as loving, quiet, kind and forgiving.
“We’re honestly hoping for justice for our mother-in-law and for our mother,” Sills said. “We’re just hoping that the law takes its action and the person involved, the person responsible, gets held accountable for his actions.”
According to police, Williams’ motor car, PAK 5566, was stationary on the southern side of the Rose Hall Town Public Road at about 3:21 p.m. when she reportedly attempted to open the right-side front door.
A white motor car travelling west allegedly collided with Williams and the opened door before the driver left the scene.
Williams fell onto the roadway and sustained injuries to her body. She was initially taken to the Port Mourant Public Hospital before being transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where she later died while receiving medical attention.
Police subsequently identified the suspected vehicle as PJJ 7624 and said they took its driver, a resident of Hampshire, Corentyne, into custody. Police also have the vehicle in custody as investigations continue.
Sills said he and his wife were away from the Corentyne when they received word that Williams had been seriously injured.
He said an older sister who was overseas contacted the family and told them Williams was in serious condition and that they should make their way to Berbice as quickly as possible.
“My wife left Linden, I was already in Georgetown, she met me there, and we made our way up to the Berbice area,” he recalled.
The couple later travelled to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where they remained with Williams until she died. Sills said the accident occurred shortly after the school day had ended.
He explained that Williams left school to collect a voucher for glasses before the collision.
In the immediate aftermath, the family had few answers about the vehicle that struck her or the circumstances surrounding the crash.
“We didn’t get the information right away. We were still searching for answers,” Sills said.
He said the family later learnt that police had identified a vehicle they believed may have been involved and had taken someone into custody.
For the family, he said, the focus is now on allowing the investigation to run its course while hoping those responsible are held accountable.
Williams’ death has left relatives devastated.
“The family is very distraught by her untimely passing,” Sills said. “This is not something we foresaw ever happening… It’s affecting each and every one of us deeply.”
Beyond her role as an educator and headmistress, Sills said Williams would be remembered by her family for the way she treated people.
“I think the characteristic that stands out the most is loving,” he said. “She’s a very loving individual… She’s a very forgiving individual. She’s quiet, she’s kind.”
He added that those who knew Williams would remember her for that caring nature. Williams’ body remains at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.
