viaWTKR:
Norfolk native and boxing legend, Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, 55, died Sunday evening after being hit by a vehicle in Virginia Beach near the intersection of Northampton Boulevard and Baker Road.
A family member confirmed to News 3 that the Olympic gold medal winner and four-weight world champion was killed in the 10 p.m., crash.
Police said the driver of the vehicle that allegedly struck Whitaker stayed at the scene and is cooperating with officers.
Whittaker graduated from Booker T. Washington high school before excelling globally as an amateur and professional boxer.
Whitaker would find a name for himself, along with international boxing recognition, by winning an Olympic gold medal at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California, and winning gold at the 1983 Pan American Games.
His time as a professional would see him fight and become a champion in four different WBC weight classes, including, Lightweight, Light welterweight, Welterweight and Light middleweight.
Professional bouts for Whitaker would include matches against the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Greg Haugen, Jose Luis Ramirez and Julio Casar Chavez.
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