ROCKLIN, Calif. — Community members are mourning the loss of Anthony Williams, an Inderkum High School student killed in a Rocklin crash Saturday evening.
Williams was killed after being hit by a vehicle on Lonetree Boulevard and Adams Drive in Rocklin.
“I don’t understand it. I just don’t…He was just walking. He was out there walking," said Chris Collins, Williams' basketball coach.
Rocklin police said the driver of the car that hit and killed Williams is cooperating with the investigation. So far, there has been neither an arrest nor any charges in the incident.
“I believe it was just a really bad, tragic accident, and my heart goes out to the driver. They have to live with that, so I feel bad for that person – on top of the empathy and sorrow and anger and everything else I feel for Anthony,” Collins said.
He said a memorial will be held on Sunday, March 27 at the Youth Basketball Academy on Tinker Road in Rocklin starting at 3:30 p.m.
Deidra Powell, spokesperson for the Natomas Unified School District, said Williams played varsity basketball and had just transferred from Whitney High School this year. Williams was described as a "powerhouse" basketball player.
"Devastated by the loss of our family Anthony Williams. Please keep Anthony and all that love him in your hearts and prayers," the Inderkum High School basketball team said on Instagram.
Collins says a foundation will be set up in Anthony Williams' name as well at Youth Basketball Academy.
"Anthony was a good kid"
Collins says Anthony Williams was a hard worker with a lot of talent.
“Anthony was a good kid…He had a light about him," Collins said. "He had a great smile -- great, big, bright smile. (He) always wanted to joke around, always wanted to have fun.”
Williams also played for Whitney High School in Rocklin before transferring to Inderkum in Natomas for his senior year.
But Williams wasn’t always like this. Collins said Williams was a foster child after his parents died at a young age.
Collins wasn't just a coach to Williams. He was a mentor, even, for a time, Williams’ foster dad. Learning about his death impacted Collins deeply.
“We talked. We literally talked that day he died,” he said.
He says Williams has forever changed him.
“We always love a success story, you know, but unfortunately, we -- him -- pass and we won't necessarily get to see that potential bear fruit. But his journey was one that I've learned from him. Hopefully, if I run into a kid like that again, I can do better for that kid,” Collins said.
Collins said anyone who wants to connect with him about memorializing Williams can do so via Instagram HERE.
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