NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas (KXAN) — Dozens of people gathered to mourn Amber Williams Sunday, decked out in her beloved scarlet and gold. Her fellow San Francisco 49ers superfans held a vigil at the spot on Dove Crossing Drive where she was killed in a hit-and-run during her drive to work on Wednesday.
Williams, 39, was the founder and president of the Austin Chapter of the Niner Empire, an organization with chapters all over the world. Her friends said she was known as a ringleader within Texas 49er fans. She was especially commended for getting together a large group of Texas fans to head to Dallas and watch the Cowboys play the 49ers in 2014, a game which the 49ers won.
“She wanted to make it so big that everyone could remember that event, as you can see it was in the papers it was pretty much everywhere,” said Jesus Archuleta, the president of the San Antonio Niner Empire chapter. He mentioned how the 49ers red was visible in AT&T Stadium that day.
She also invited fans to join together in events like floating down the river and enjoying barbecues.
Williams was from Hayward, California. As a Texas transplant, Williams made a point to ensure any newcomer felt welcome — even Dallas Cowboys fans.
They explained that 49er fans from around the country and around the world (as far away as the Netherlands) have expressed their condolences to Williams’ loved ones.
She was killed when a suspect who was fleeing police drove into her car. New Braunfels Police believe that suspect is 26-year-old Austin Taylor Meade.
NBPD got a call from a company in San Antonio saying someone had stolen one of their work trucks. The company tracked down the truck to an apartment complex in New Braunfels. When police arrived at the complex, they said Meade took off speeding and T-boned Williams’ car on the driver’s side, which killed her.
New Braunfels police said Meade then got out of the truck, ran to a nearby park and flagged down another driver asking for a ride. Meade got in the car and threatened the driver with a kitchen knife, then stole her car, police said.
Investigators later identified Meade as the person suspected of killing Williams and issued a warrant for his arrest.
Meade turned himself in on Friday. Austin Fire Department said he walked up to one of their fire stations to do so. At last check, Meade is booked in the Travis County Jail, but he will be transferred to Comal County. Meade’s bond totals $1 million.
“I just hope that justice for Amber happens and that the judge doesn’t just go light on him,” said Jesus Archuleta, the President of the San Antonio Chapter of Niner Empire.
He explained their focus is on Williams right now.
This Sunday, Williams was scheduled to be watching a football game with her Niner Empire crew. Instead, they watched the game without her while fundraising for her funeral expenses.
Friends have organized fundraisers for both her funeral expenses and the care of her mother and 19-year-old daughter who depended on her. Williams’ mother had a heart attack after her daughter’s death and was hospitalized. Her friends believe the pain of Williams’ death was part of the reason why.
Archuleta said that Williams would want their groups to keep up the camaraderie they’ve built up even in her absence.
“Just continue what we’re doing, it will make us stronger, keep inviting others, bring more people in and let them know this is the kind of people we are,” he said.
