FAMU student Ashanti Smith is remembered for “high spirit” after fatal car accident
Florida A&M University student Ashanti Smith's "caring" and "fiery" personality are what her peers remember her by after she was killed in a fatal car crash a few days ago.
"She was tough on the outside, but on the inside, she was very caring and nurturing," FAMU senior Jaylen English, 24, told the Tallahassee Democrat Monday. English is one of the students who helped organize a candlelight vigil held Monday evening at the campus' Eternal Flame in honor of Smith, 22.
A Broward County native, Smith died Sept. 29 during a head-on collision in Woodville. A 21-year-old man driving an SUV crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with her sedan traveling in the opposite direction, according to Florida Highway Patrol reports.
Smith was a first-year criminal justice major at FAMU who transferred to the university in fall 2023 from Tallahassee State College . She became president of The Lovely Ladies of TorQue dance team on FAMU's campus, and she was also an active member of the FAMU Section of the National Council of Negro Women.
In addition, Smith worked as a corrections officer at the Wakulla Correctional Institution in Crawfordville. As a member of The Infamous Boyz of Poison – a FAMU dance team counterpart of The Lovely Ladies of TorQue – English says his and Smith's memberships made them "brother and sister."
"She had a high spirit, whether it was dancing at pep rallies or Set Fridays," English said. "She always made sure that she was there, showing up for other students."
With Smith's death, FAMU Vice President for Student Affairs William E. Hudson Jr. says he has lost over 50 students throughout his tenure.
"It's always a sad situation, especially when you have a tragedy like this with a car accident," Hudson told the Democrat. "I pray for the family and for all of our students, particularly those who were close to her through the organizations she was involved with and led."
Although Smith was a FAMU student, her death broke the hearts of other college students beyond FAMU's campus who knew her well.
Florida State University student Faburla Georges met Smith through the FAMU dance team, which is open to other college students in the Tallahassee community. She explained how they had a lot in common, including how they both came to Tallahassee from Broward County to pursue criminology.
"Ashanti had a fierce and fiery personality with a very big heart," Georges said. "She meant business and gained respect because of her aura. I watched her grow into a beautiful young lady as we pursued our shared dreams of being successful."
Prior to FAMU's vigil Monday night in honor of Smith, several students gathered Sunday night to host their own candlelight vigil on East Gaines Street . There, they blew out their candles while saying "Justice for Ashanti" in union, followed by the release of pink and white balloons into the night sky, as they said "Long Live Ashanti."
The university has not received an official copy of Smith's obituary from her family, according to a FAMU spokesperson.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on X: @tarahjean_ .
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU first-year student Ashanti Smith dies in fatal car incident
