UPDATE: White Hall School Superintendent Dr. Gary Williams spoke with Deltaplex News to share his thoughts on Coach Matt Williams and what he meant to the White Hall School District.
Williams added this.
Williams said there will be counselors, clergy, and other resources on campus Monday morning to assist any students or faculty during this tragic time.
Williams finished with more kind words about Coach Matt Williams.
Additionally, the Pine Bluff Police Department has issued the following statement on the accident that took the life of White Hall head basketball coach Matt Williams, and critically injured the driver of a second vehicle.
On April 12, 2025, at approximately 11:01 p.m. officers responded to a serious traffic collision in the area of South Hazel Street and 41st Avenue.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a white Nissan Altima driven by 37-year-old, Matthew Williams was traveling southbound on South Hazel Street and a 2015 GMC Sierra driven by 38-year-old, Darrion William was traveling northbound on South Hazel Street.
At some point the two vehicles collided and Darrion was ejected from his vehicle. Darrion was later transported to Jefferson Regional Medical Center and listed as critical. Matthew was pronounced deceased on scene by Jefferson County Deputy Coroner Eric Belcher.
Both families have been notified at the time of this release.
Anyone with information regarding this accident is asked to call the detective office tip line at 870-730-2106, the detective office at 870-730-2090, or the dispatch center at 870-541-5300.
ORIGINAL STORY:
White Hall boy’s head basketball coach Matt Williams has died following a tragic two-vehicle accident in Pine Bluff late Saturday night.
Multiple sources confirmed the news to Deltaplex News on Sunday.
The accident happened near 46th Avenue and Hazel Street late Saturday night according to law enforcement.
Williams coached at White Hall for one year, leading the Bulldogs to a 15-14 (8-8 5A South) record. He was the head coach at Texarkana for one year before heading to White Hall. He led the Razorbacks to a 7-23 (2-14 5A South) record, and their first conference victories since the 2021 season before the move to White Hall.
Williams also served as an assistant coach at Springdale and Jonesboro.
Williams began his coaching career as the Director of Basketball Operations for the Southeast Missouri State University men’s basketball team, serving from 2009-11 before making the move to the high school ranks.
No further information on the cause of the accident has been released by the Pine Bluff Police Department.
