‘I just messed up’: 18-year-old arrested in connection to fatal hit-and-run involving college student

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray News) - A woman who was hit by a vehicle and killed Monday evening on the west side of Tallahassee has been identified as a Florida State University sophomore.

An 18-year-old has been arrested in connection to the fatal incident.

A Florida State University spokesperson identified the victim as 20-year-old Elizabeth “Ellie” Sims. She was hit by a car while walking near West Pensacola Street.

The Tallahassee Police Department said the fatal crash happened around 6:40 p.m. Monday.

Sims, a sophomore, was from Franklin, Tennessee, and was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, according to the university’s spokesperson.

The sorority chapter released a statement about Sims on Tuesday afternoon, which read in part, “You were truly the epitome of an Alpha Chi Omega: involved with FSU Honors College, FSU CHAW, an avid runner, an entrepreneurship student, and a fashionista. We will forever miss your infectious smile, jamming out while meal prepping in the kitchenette and positive presence that lit up every room. Beta Eta will not be the same without you, but your legacy will live on….”

Authorities announced Tuesday that 18-year-old Willis Trueblood Jr. was arrested for leaving the scene of the fatal hit-and-run.

Witnesses told investigators that Sims was utilizing the crosswalk when she was hit by Trueblood, according to Tallahassee police.

Police said Trueblood and the vehicle involved were both located less than two hours after the incident in southwest Tallahassee. Court records indicated officers found the damaged vehicle at the intersection of Liberty Street and Holton Street.

The vehicle “had damage to its hood and windshield consistent with the crash, as well as what appeared to be blood and hair in the windshield,” according to court documents.

Trueblood entered a written plea of not guilty in connection to the incident. He told detectives that right before the incident unfolded, he had his visor down in his vehicle due to the sun beaming his way during “five or six o’clock traffic,” per court records.

Trueblood also said, according to records, he remembered two vehicles in front of him in the left lane that he was going to turn into and get behind. That’s when Trueblood said Sims hit the car.

“I didn’t even see her coming. I didn’t know what to do, so I just left,” Trueblood told detectives.

When detectives asked him why he left the scene, Trueblood stated because he “was panicking.”

Trueblood described being scared and driving to a friend’s house where he called a parent, according to court records.

“I hit somebody and I just messed up,” Trueblood allegedly said to crash investigators.

Florida State University President Richard McCullough released a statement Tuesday regarding Sims’ death. It said, “We are deeply saddened by the heartbreaking loss of one of our students, Elizabeth “Ellie” Sims, who was killed Monday when she was struck by a vehicle near campus. Our thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends during this difficult time. Counseling services are available to anyone in the Florida State University family who would like support as we navigate this tragedy together. I encourage anyone struggling with this loss to reach out for assistance.”

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