Ole Miss student remembered for loyalty
Remembrance

Ole Miss student remembered for loyalty

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MADISON — Friends and family of an Ole Miss student killed in a hit-and-run accident in Oxford this past weekend remembered him as compassionate, loving and fiercely loyal.

Walker Allen Fielder, 21, of Madison passed away on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, following the hit-and-run in a parking lot behind Oxford City Hall.

The Fielders had just celebrated Walker’s birthday with friends and family on the Square. His father, Allen Fielder, said he was grateful for every moment he had with his son.

“We were able to be with him for Friday and his birthday on Saturday and it was one of the best weekends of our lives,” Fielder said. “As always, Walker was humble and grateful and appreciative. It was a blessing to be with him every moment that we had.”

Kirk Cameron, who described himself as a long-time family friend of the Fielders, said he could sum up his opinion of Walker Fielder in one statement.

“He was an incredible kid,” Cameron said.

Allen Fielder said the family is “heartbroken” following the loss of Walker but noted that they have been overwhelmed by the “love that has been shown to us” from friends and family and both the Madison and University of Mississippi communities.

Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill released a statement on social media on Sunday evening following the incident.

“I am writing to you tonight as a Mother with a broken heart for these families, for their precious friends, for their sorority sisters and fraternity brothers, for their hometowns, and for our community as we all weather another terrible storm,” her statement read in part. “I am writing to ask you for your prayers for Walker’s Mom and Dad and Sister as they mourn the loss of this young man who was handsome and kind and talented and loved by so many. Pray for peace and comfort for them that only comes from our Heavenly Father.”

Walker Fielder was laid to rest at Parkway Memorial Cemetary in Ridgeland on Wednesday afternoon. He was born in Flowood on Oct. 15, 2001. He is the son of Allison and Allen Fielder.

The 2020 graduate of Jackson Academy was a Disciple Group Leader at Christ United Methodist Church and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

After graduating from JA, Walker attended the University of Mississippi where he was studying finance and was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and served as rush chairman.

“Walker was deeply loved and respected by everyone who met him,” his family said. “He was a loving, caring, and compassionate son, brother, cousin, and friend to many. His smile was both welcoming and infectious and when in his presence, he immediately made you feel loved.”

The family goes on to describe Walker as someone people always spoke positively about and saw the good in everyone.

“Walker’s legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew him,” they said.

Walker Fielder and a female victim who has been identified as Blanche Williamson were struck by a truck in the incident reported on at about 1:14 a.m.

Oxford Police received a 911 call that there were two people injured in the parking lot behind City Hall.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Blanche and her family as she continues to heal both physically and emotionally,” Allen Fielder said.

Mayor Tannehill released a statement regarding Williamson on social media on Tuesday.

“Oxford is a community that struggles together,” She wrote. “Many have asked for an update on the female student, Blanche Williamson, who was injured Sunday morning in the tragedy behind City Hall. With Blanche’s parents' permission, I am relieved to report that she is stable and improving. Please continue to pray for Blanche and her family. Our prayers continue to be with the Fielder family. Lord, hold them close.”

Two individuals were arrested in connection with the fatal hit and run.

Seth Rokitka, 24, of Collierville, Tenn., has been charged with one count of manslaughter, one count of aggravated DUI, one count of duties of driver involved in accident resulting in death and one count of duties of driver involved in accident resulting in personal injury, The Daily Mississippian, the Ole Miss student newspaper reported.

Rokitka appeared before a Justice Court judge, and his bond was set at $1 million. 

Tristan Holland, 18, also of Collierville, Tenn., remains in the Shelby County Jail and awaits charges, the DM reported.

Holland was arrested late Sunday evening in Shelby County, Tenn. Rokitka was arrested and taken into custody Monday morning. His truck, which has been identified by Oxford police as the vehicle that struck the victims, was found wrecked in Marshall County, the DM reported.

Holland was taken into custody late Sunday evening, according to the DM.

According to the Oxford Police Department, Rokitka and Holland had no prior interactions with either victim prior to striking them with the truck, the DM reported.

OPD said that Rokitka and Holland failed to render aid or call 911 after the incident, the DM reported. 






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