DC native killed in multivehicle crash remembered for his love of images

While working Election Day in 2022, Sam Plo Kwia Collins Jr. drove alongside Aaron Marckell Williams to cowl the night outcomes for the Washington Informer. As it grew to become clear that Kenyan McDuffie would win his bid for an at-large seat on the D.C. Council, the duo rushed over to McDuffie’s victory get together.

As quickly as Collins Jr. parked his automobile, Williams “got to the front and took a very iconic photo” of McDuffie pointing at the crowd throughout his victory speech.

Over three years later, Collins Jr. noticed the photograph once more on the Informer’s web site and started desirous about his former colleague.

“Only to find out a couple of days later that he left us,” Collins Jr. informed WTOP.

Williams, 26, was killed after being struck in a multivehicle crash following a high-speed chase in Northwest D.C. on Wednesday afternoon. A 20-year-old man was arrested and charged with first-degree homicide.

To those that know him, Williams, a D.C. native, was recognized for his chill persona and love of images. His Instagram page is stuffed with occasion protection that includes hip-hop artist Pharrell Williams and former President Barack Obama.

For Collins, Williams was “cool, down to earth, focused.”

The pair met after Williams returned to the District after graduating from the University of Miami.

His love of images shined as they covered news events.

During downtime, Williams was very personable, Collins stated, and keen to share about his background rising up in D.C. and attending a boarding college earlier than going to Miami. While his laid-back strategy could have confused some, he was not lazy, Collins stated, calling his photographs “quality work.”

“He just made it look very effortless, and that just spoke to his personality,” Collins stated.

Williams lately selected to take a break from the Informer to give attention to freelance work.

Washington Informer Managing Editor Micha Green told NBC Washington he was touring a number of nations, together with Ghana, to proceed working as an “amazing visual storyteller.”

“We are heartbroken over the loss of Marckell Williams — a talented photographer, storyteller, and beautiful soul who was once part of the Washington Informer family,” the outlet wrote in a statement posted on X. “His passion for capturing people, culture, and truth will never be forgotten.”

The final time Collins recollects seeing his former coworker, Williams was taking photographs at a go-go occasion on Marion Barry Avenue. Even although he was targeted on his craft, Williams stopped for a second to speak together with his former reporting accomplice. The love proven at that second, Collins stated, spoke concerning the individual Williams was.

“Being laid back in a city like this, where it gets more expensive and there’s just so much going on, that’s a feat in itself,” Collins stated. “He had that spirit. He was just too good for us.”