People around the D.C. area and beyond are remembering Aaron Marckell Williams, a photographer who once worked with The Washington Informer, not for the tragic accident that ended his life last week near the White House, but for his incredible talent, strong faith and beautiful soul.
“Marckell was a go-getter,” said Shevry Lassiter, Washington Informer photo editor, who also attended Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church in Northeast D.C. with Williams. “He had a creative eye … and we were just grateful for the time he spent with The Informer.”
Williams, 26, was killed in a crash that occurred on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the intersection of 16th and L Streets in Northwest D.C., shortly before 4 p.m., according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). He was on his way to church when the incident occurred.
The police said a Chevrolet Malibu was traveling southbound at a high rate of speed and entered the intersection of L Street, colliding with a Toyota Corolla that was traveling eastbound on L Street with a green light. The collision caused the Malibu to strike a pedestrian, Williams, and additional vehicles stopped at the red light northbound on 16th Street NW were also damaged.
The sole occupant of the Malibu attempted to flee the scene on foot but was apprehended by responding officers, according to the MPD police report. D.C. Fire and EMS responded to the scene and after all lifesaving efforts failed, Williams of Southeast D.C., was pronounced dead.
The suspect, 20-year-old Santana Matthews, and two additional victims were transported to local hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
As a result of the investigation, Matthews, of Northwest D.C., was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed (vehicle), fleeing from law enforcement, no permit, and leaving after colliding.
The two MPD officers who attempted that traffic stop have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by MPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau. Detectives from the MPD’s Major Crash Investigations Unit continue to investigate the fatal collision.
“Yesterday, I learned that my former Washington Informer colleague Marckell Williams lost his life due to the actions of a reckless driver. Heartbroken doesn’t even begin to sum up my emotions,” Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr., a longtime staff writer with The Informer, wrote in a statement posted to Instagram. “This young brother was a talented photographer who never hesitated to get his passport stamped. We went on several missions as a team as I wrote the articles and he took the photos.”
Collins got to know Williams further than his work with The Informer. He was a recent college graduate and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, a proud brother and son, whose mother died in 2004, a young man committed to his faith in God, and a lover of music and traveling.
“Along the way, I learned about his upbringing and his vision. He was solid, without question,” Collins explained. “A life gone way too soon.”
As a fellow member of Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church, Lassiter got to see the photographer’s talents beyond his work behind the lens, as he sang in the choir and worked in the media ministry. This was a big week because this week the church sponsored the 2026 New Year’s Revival with the First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Glenarden, Maryland.
He was baptized at Greater Mount Calvary in January 2025.
“When I saw him get baptized, it was heartwarming,” Lassiter told The Informer.
Lamar Ayers, communications director at Greater Mount Calvary emphasized Williams’ contributions to the church community.
“In the short time he was at the church he had a major impact,” said Lamar Ayers, communications director at Greater Mt. Calvary. “He joined the church on January 19, 2025 and he was excited to be part of the church. He was also part of our communications team.”