‘Heartbreaking loss’: Florida State student from Franklin killed in hit-and-run crash

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A 20-year-old from Franklin is dead after being hit by a car Monday night near the Florida State University (FSU) campus.

According to the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD), Elizabeth “Ellie” Sims was using the designated crosswalk just before 7 p.m. on Monday, April 29 when she was hit by a car driven by 18-year-old Willis Trueblood Jr., who drove off after the incident.

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Authorities were able to track down and arrest Trueblood two hours later. He was charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death, which is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

An outpouring of love and support for Ellie from leadership and friends at FSU has been rolling in since the tragedy happened. Ellie was enrolled as a sophomore majoring in Undergraduate Studies.

FSU president Richard McCullough shared the following statement with News 2:

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.

Richard McCullough, FSU president

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FSU officials confirmed Ellie was a member of the Beta Eta chapter of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. The organization released a remembrance message on its Facebook page that said in part:

We will love and remember you forever. You were truly the epitome of an Alpha Chi Omega: involved with FSU Honors College, FSU CHAW [Center for Health Advocacy & Wellness], 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.

FSU Alpha Chi Omega

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Statement from Dr. Katie Hill, who is the principal of Page High School:

“The Page High family is deeply saddened to hear of Ellie’s passing, and we extend our deepest sympathy to her family. Ellie will be greatly missed by her teachers, coaches, teammates, peers and all who knew and loved her, and we will remember her for her sweet smile, her kind spirit and her compassion for all.”

The sorority partnered with Ellie’s family to establish the Ellie Sims Memorial Fund. If you’d like to donate, click here .

A GoFundMe was also created in Ellie’s honor to help her family with funeral and transportation costs.

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