Willis Trueblood Arrested: Fsu Student’s Hit-and-run Death
On Monday evening, a tragic incident occurred in Tallahassee, Florida, when a Florida State University sophomore named Elizabeth “Ellie” Sims was fatally struck by a vehicle while crossing the street. The driver, identified as 18-year-old Willis Trueblood, was arrested and charged in connection with the hit-and-run. This article will delve into the details of the incident, including the timeline of events, Trueblood’s arrest, and his subsequent plea.
I. Who is Willis Trueblood?
Willis Trueblood is an 18-year-old who was arrested and charged in connection with the fatal hit-and-run of Elizabeth “Ellie” Sims, a Florida State University sophomore.
According to court records, Trueblood told detectives that he did not see Sims before he hit her with his car. He said that he was driving with his visor down due to the sun and that he was focused on two vehicles in front of him. Trueblood also stated that he panicked after hitting Sims and left the scene.
| Name | Age | Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Willis Trueblood | 18 | Vehicular homicide |
Trueblood’s Arrest and Plea
Trueblood was arrested less than two hours after the incident. Police located the vehicle involved in the crash at the intersection of Liberty Street and Holton Street. The vehicle had damage to its hood and windshield, as well as what appeared to be blood and hair in the windshield.
Trueblood entered a written plea of not guilty to the charge of vehicular homicide. He is currently being held in the Leon County Jail.
- Trueblood was arrested less than two hours after the incident.
- He is currently being held in the Leon County Jail.
- Trueblood entered a written plea of not guilty to the charge of vehicular homicide.
II. Timeline of the Incident
On Monday evening, around 6:40 p.m., Elizabeth Sims was walking near West Pensacola Street when she was hit by a car while crossing the street. Witnesses told police that Sims was using the crosswalk when she was hit by Trueblood’s car.
Trueblood did not stop after hitting Sims. He drove away from the scene and called his parents. He later told police that he panicked after hitting Sims and that he did not know what to do.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 6:40 p.m. | Elizabeth Sims is hit by a car while crossing the street. |
| Less than 2 hours later | Trueblood is arrested. |
III. Willis Trueblood’s Arrest and Plea
After hitting Sims, Trueblood drove away from the scene. He called his parents and later turned himself in to the police. He was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide. Trueblood entered a written plea of not guilty and is currently being held in the Leon County Jail.
| Name | Age | Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Willis Trueblood | 18 | Vehicular homicide |
Trueblood’s trial is scheduled to begin in October. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison.
The tragic death of Elizabeth Sims has left a profound impact on the Florida State University community and beyond. The arrest of Willis Trueblood and the ongoing legal proceedings will hopefully provide some measure of justice for Sims’ family and friends. It is crucial that we prioritize pedestrian safety and hold drivers accountable for their actions on the road to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
