Loved ones remember woman killed in Collier County crash

Loved ones are mourning a mother, wife, and friend who died in a Collier County crash while returning from a trip with her husband.

Shelli Carter always had a smile on her face, and friends say they’ll miss that smile.

“She’s supposed to be back at work and she’s not going to be there. I’m not going to see her smiling face,” said Amber Wilson, who worked with Carter for 13 years.

The two first met at Gold’s Gym. It was there that they went from just coworkers, or even friends, to sisters.

“She actually quit doing that so she can watch my daughter so I can go to work. That’s just the person she was,” Wilson said.

Wilson was excited to hear about Carter’s trip to Key West with her husband when the two returned to work on Monday. Sadly, Carter never made it home. She was killed when her Jeep was hit on Alligator Alley in Collier County on Thursday.

“She left us way too soon. I miss her so much,” Wilson said.

The Florida Highway Patrol said 20-year-old Amari Jones was speeding through the median on I-75 when he caused the three-car crash.

“It angers me that nobody stopped him before. I was thinking if he was stopped before this, you know, before, she could still be here,” Wilson said.

Wilson says she could always count on her friend Shelli to make her feel better.

“I keep telling myself I’ve gained a guardian angel,” Wilson said.

She said she’s thankful to have had Carter in her life.

Amari Jones could face multiple charges including reckless driving, fleeing, and possession of burglary tools. Troopers say he did not have a license.

Carter’s family has not yet made funeral arrangements. Shelli’s husband is still in the hospital recovering from his injuries.