Mississauga woman killed in 8-vehicle pile-up identified; she was a ‘shining star’

Described as a “shining star,” a mentor and a woman with a big heart, Sharron Williams was the glue that kept her large and close-knit family together.

Now, five days after the 50-year-old Mississauga woman was killed in an eight-vehicle, chain reaction pile-up in Malton, Williams’ family is left to move on without her.

The crash was captured on a dashcam video widely circulated online that shows a MiWay bus plowing into the back of her vehicle as she headed to work.

As fate would have it, Williams’ routine changed somewhat that morning as she decided to stop at a Tim Hortons along Derry Rd. shortly after leaving her Malton home.

Williams, whose LinkedIn profile shows she worked as a manager at the Agincourt Community Services Association, was reportedly about to become a grandmother for the first time.

In addition to her work in the community, particularly with children, Williams was also known to prioritize family and would do anything for family members.

Much of her tireless community work included helping children in the family’s native Jamaica. Williams would reportedly travel to the Caribbean nation each year to bring soccer balls, shirts and other clothes to children in need there.

Make no mistake, the woman who lost her life at Derry and Rexwood Rds. last Thursday morning (June 8) at about 9:30 a.m. left an indelible mark on many people.

“We can all say we learned from her life,” said one of those many people close to her.

Eight other people were taken to hospital with injuries not considered to be life-threatening, according to Peel Regional Police, whose Major Collision Bureau continues to investigate the multi-vehicle pile-up.

Williams, alone in her car, was sitting in traffic that had come to a stop on eastbound Derry Rd. at the busy intersection. Seconds later, the MiWay transit bus crashed into the back of her vehicle.

Williams’ car was then violently pushed into other vehicles ahead of hers.

The Mississauga woman was pronounced dead a short time later after arriving at hospital, leaving her family to grieve a person who was also described as being strong and resilient throughout her life.

A funeral will take place next week in Mississauga.

Meanwhile, a Peel police spokesperson said in an email to insauga.com on Monday that the Major Collision Bureau is continuing its investigation and that “there is no expectation of any (additional) information being released at this time.”

Specifically, police are believed to be looking at what caused the MiWay bus to slam into the back of Williams’ car, setting in motion the chain reaction pile-up that also included a flatbed truck, dump truck and taxi.

The transit bus plowed through several vehicles before coming to a stop at the intersection, its windshield smashed.

The MiWay bus driver was among those taken to hospital.