The family of 53-year-old grandmother Halima Harris says their lives have been upended after she was struck and killed while crossing West 8th Street near Payne Avenue in Northwest Jacksonville on May 13. As they grieve, they are also calling on the community to help them seek justice and cover mounting expenses.
Crash and arrest
According to News4JAX, the crash happened just before 3 p.m. when a black Chrysler 300 hit Harris as she crossed the street. The driver, 51-year-old Sharntavia Phillips, was arrested that day on suspicion of DUI manslaughter. She also faces charges that include driving with a suspended license, no proof of insurance and careless driving, according to the arrest report.
Officers noted several signs of impairment at the scene, the report states. Phillips told investigators she had taken prescription medication and had recently been diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer, according to News4JAX.
Family calls for answers
Relatives who helped raise Harris describe her death as a blow that hit the center of their family. Niece Shantel Bryant said, "To lose her is to lose a big piece of us. To lose her in this way makes it even worse," speaking with News4JAX. Nephew Langston Sanders shared similar heartbreak as the family works through shock and anger.
The family has launched a GoFundMe to help pay for funeral and related costs, saying the sudden loss has left them emotionally and financially strained.
What this means for North Florida
Traffic-safety planners say the case reflects a stubborn and deadly pattern in North Florida: impaired driving and pedestrians getting hit on busy streets where people still have to walk to reach everyday services.
The North Florida Transportation Planning Organization's 2025 Annual Mobility Report, which uses state crash data, notes that impaired driving has been a contributing factor in a large share of recent fatal crashes in the region and that pedestrian deaths remain a major challenge for local safety efforts. Planners have urged targeted countermeasures in known hot spots, according to the North Florida TPO.
Legal next steps
Under Florida law, causing a death while driving under the influence can lead to a DUI manslaughter charge, a second-degree felony that carries significant prison time and the possibility of permanent license revocation if there is a conviction. Prosecutors can also pursue other charges depending on the evidence.
Investigators and the State Attorney's Office are expected to review the arrest report, toxicology results if available and any witness statements before deciding on a formal charging decision, according to guidance from Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Families seeking assistance after a fatal crash can find victim-support resources through the agency's program, detailed by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
