Boxing legend Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker dies in an accident in Virginia Beach

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – Virginia Beach police have identified the man struck and killed by a vehicle late Sunday night as boxing legend Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker.

Around 10 p.m., Virginia Beach police were called to the scene of an accident near the intersection of Northampton Boulevard and Baker Road

Police investigate a fatal car-pedestrian accident on July 14, 2019. WAVY photo

They say Whitaker, 55, was located and determined to have succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

According to police, the driver of the vehicle remained at the scene after the accident.

The westbound lanes of Northampton Boulevard were closed for over three hours while police investigated.

Champion boxer

Whitaker was born and raised in Norfolk. He started his boxing career at the young age of nine. According to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, where he was inducted, Whitaker fought 214 amateur fights during his career, winning 201 of them. He was a silver medalist in the lightweight division at the 1982 World Championships, won a gold medal at the 1983 PAN American Games and was a gold medalist at the 1984 Olympics. He turned professional in 1984 at Madison Square Garden.

After retiring from the sport in 2001, Whitaker became a coach.

In 2007, Whitaker was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

April 3, 1995: Pernell Whitaker is in the ring before a fight against Julio Cezar Vasquez. Whitaker won the fight. Mandatory credit: Simon Bruty /Allsport
April 3, 1995: Pernell Whitaker celebrates after winning a fight against Julio Cezar Vasquez. Mandatory credit: Simon Bruty /Allsport
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 8: Pernell Whitaker, trainer of Zab Judah, speaks at a press conference to promote the upcoming Super Lightweight World Championship Unification Fight with Amir Khan at the ESPN Zone At LA Live on June 8, 2011 in Los Angeles, California, to discuss. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 8: Zab Judah takes a cell phone photo of himself with trainer Pernell Whitaker as they appear at a press conference with Amir Khan to promote their upcoming Super Lightweight World Championship Unification Fight at the ESPN Zone At LA Live on June 8. to be discussed in June. 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
February 20, 1999: Pernell Whitaker is knocked down in the second round during his fight against Felix Trinidad at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Trinidad won by a 12th round decision. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport
February 20, 1999: Felix Trinidad throws a left punch in his fight against Pernell Whitaker at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Trinidad won by a 12th round decision. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport
January 6, 1999: Felix Trinidad (l), Don King (c) and Pernell Whitacker (r) pose for a photo during a press conference about the upcoming fight between Felix Trinidad and Pernell Whitacker at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York . Mandatory credit: Jamie Squire /Allsport
Oct. 17, 1997: Pernell Whitaker and Andre Pestriaeu in action during a fight at Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut. Whitaker won the fight with a 12th round decision. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport
October 17, 1997: Pernell Whitaker and Andre Pestriaeu in action during a fight at Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut. Whitaker won the fight with a 12th round decision. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport
Oct. 17, 1997: Pernell Whitaker and Andre Pestriaeu in action during a fight at Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut. Whitaker won the fight with a 12th round decision. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport
April 12, 1997: Pernell Whitaker raises his arms at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. De La Hoya won the fight by decision. Mandatory credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport
April 12, 1997: Oscar De La Hoya caught a right on Pernell Whitaker during a fight at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. De La Hoya won the fight by decision. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport
September 20, 1996: Pernell Whitaker (right) measures his punch during his fight against Wilfredo Rivera at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida. Whitaker won the fight in a 12-round decision. Mandatory credit: Al Bello/ALLSPORT
September 20, 1996: Pernell Whitaker punches Wilfredo Rivera during a fight at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida. Whitaker won the fight in twelve rounds. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport
September 20, 1996: Pernell Whitaker sits in his corner during a fight against Wilfredo Rivera at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida. Whitaker won the fight in twelve rounds. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport
April 3, 1995: Pernell Whitaker punches Julio Cezar Vasquez during a fight. Mandatory credit: Simon Bruty /Allsport
April 3, 1995: Pernell Whitaker punches Julio Cezar Vasquez during a fight. Mandatory credit: Simon Bruty /Allsport
November 18, 1995: Pernell Whitaker (right) goes to the neutral corner after knocking down his opponent Jake Rodriguez in the sixth round of their championship fight. Whitaker won the fight with a sixth-round knockout. Mandatory credit: Al Bello/A
August 26, 1995: Pernell Whitaker knocks out Gary Jacobs during a fight in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Whitaker won the fight. Mandatory credit: Simon Bruty /Allsport
AUGUST 26, 1995: GARY JACOBS OF SCOTLAND KNEELS ON THE CANVAS AFTER BEING DEFLECTED BY PERNELL WHITAKER OF THE USA IN THE 12TH ROUND OF THEIR FIGHT IN ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY. Jacobs was saved at the bell, but Whitaker won the fight via unanimous decision
SEPTEMBER 30, 1994: PERNELL WHITAKER IN HIS DRESSING ROOM PRIOR TO HIS 12 ROUND DECISION WIN OVER JAMES “BUDDY” MCGIRT AT THE SCOPE ARENA IN NORFOLK, VIRGINIA. Mandatory credit: Al Bello/ALLSPORT
SEPTEMBER 10, 1993: BOXER PERNELL WHITAKER DELIVERS AN UPPERCUT DURING HIS FIGHT AGAINST JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. Mandatory credit: Holly Stein/ALLSPORT