Justice on the Sidewalk: A Family's Nightmare After a Hit-and-Run

On the night of April 26, 2025, tragedy struck in South Sacramento when 26-year-old William Akens Jr., affectionately known as“Lil Will,”was killed by a hit-and-run driver. Witnesses reported that he was struck not once but multiple times, with each driver fleeing the scene. This heartbreaking incident became more than a loss for Akens’family; it turned into a desperate search for answers from a police investigation that seemed to stall without explanation.

Akens was a beloved son and a new father, leaving his family grappling with an unbearable void. Despite their efforts, communication with the Sacramento Police Department was frustratingly limited. The family received confusing updates, and crucial mistakes in the investigation led to further disappointment. A spokesperson for the department stated there was no set timeline for updates or requirements for contacting grieving families, which left the Akens family feeling abandoned in their time of need.

Desperation mingled with anger as they sought justice for Lil Will, now one of the alarming statistics of pedestrian fatalities in Sacramento—a city ranked as one of California’s most dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. As we reflect on this tragedy, one can’t help but wonder what it will take for the community and authorities to make real changes to ensure that no other family has to endure a similar heart-wrenching loss.