A quiet Sunday evening in Tampa became a scene of unimaginable sorrow when seven-year-old Jalaysia A. Capers was struck and killed by a pickup truck while crossing North 56th Street near Society Park Boulevard with two other children. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the crash occurred just before 8 p.m., when a Chevy Silverado driven by a man from Hialeah was travelling southbound and encountered the trio of children weaving across the roadway.
Troopers say the vehicle struck all three children — Jalaysia, who was 7, an 11-year-old girl, and an 8-year-old boy — as they ran across the street. Emergency crews rushed the kids to a nearby hospital. Tragically, Jalaysia succumbed to her injuries; the two older children sustained what are described as non-life-threatening injuries and are expected to recover.
The driver, identified as a 34-year-old man from Hialeah, remained at the scene and has been cooperating with investigators. No charges have been filed yet as the FHP continues to investigate the circumstances of the crash.
Local residents say this neighborhood, where children often play and cross the streets after school hours, has seen its share of near-misses and warnings about traffic safety. Friends and families are now grappling with the shock of losing such a bright young life and expressing concern that more must be done to protect the children in their community.
Jalaysia’s family and neighbors describe her as full of life — spirited, playful and always ready with a smile. For many, the fact that she was simply crossing the street like any other Sunday evening has made the loss even harder to bear. The suddenness of it underscores a shared fear among parents: that in a fraction of a second, the routine of childhood can be altered forever.
The FHP investigation will look into factors such as driver speed, visibility, lighting, whether children were at an unmarked crossing, and whether the street conditions or signage contributed to the tragedy. Even though the driver is cooperating, the investigation’s outcome may take time before any formal determination or possible charges are announced.
In the meantime, the Tampa community is rallying. Local schools, churches and neighbors are offering support to the grieving family, while urging every driver to slow down, be alert — especially in residential areas where children might run into or cross streets unexpectedly. The message is clear: a moment’s distraction can lead to a lifetime of regret.
As authorities piece together what happened, the questions linger: Could a crosswalk, speed reduction, better lighting have made a difference? Was the timing simply tragic? While investigators sort through the facts, the city of Tampa and the friends of Jalaysia are left with the pain of a life cut short and the hope that greater vigilance might spare another family this heartbreak.
