Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) -- A VCU student was killed in a crash on West Main Street yesterday evening. Shawn Soares, 26, was on the sidewalk when two vehicles collided, driving one off the road and striking him.
The vehicles were traveling west on Main when they collided. The vehicle that struck Soares also hit a pole before crashing into a building. Neither driver was seriously injured, and both cars remained on scene. Richmond Police declined to specify if speed played a role in the crash.
Neither driver has been charged at this time, but Richmond Police say charges may come as the investigation continues. Soares is the third pedestrian struck near VCU campus already in 2023. Two of those three -- 22-year-old Mahrokh Khan and Soares, both students -- were killed.
In a statement released by VCU President Michael Rao, he called Soares' death "tragic and heartbreaking."
"He was an exceptionally positive force in our world and was living to make the lives of everyone better," he wrote. "He was one of the best students I’ve ever known."
Rao also addressed the need for infrastructural improvements to VCU's campus to address pedestrian safety, saying it is "is clear that major change is needed to the city streets and sidewalks on and adjacent to our campuses." Rao says VCU is "100% committed" to making such changes, but said that the city's partnership is needed.
Soares was a former staffer for Representative Donald McEachin and a former intern at the Democratic Party of Virginia. This afternoon, DVPA Chairwoman Susan Swecker issued a statement calling Soares a "a bright, talented, kind-hearted activist" and "a dear friend."
The investigation on the crash remains ongoing. Richmond Police are asking that anyone with information contact RPD Crash Team Investigator D. Olson at (804) 646-1664.