CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - A candlelight vigil Thursday in Chesterfield was held just footsteps away from where 20-year-old Chris Coleman was hit by two vehicles crossing Hopkins Road on December 4.
Coleman was pronounced dead on the scene, and one of the vehicles drove off without stopping, according to Chesterfield Police.
Coleman is the third Chesterfield pedestrian struck and killed by a car since Thanksgiving Day.
Jimmie Henderson, 56, was hit crossing Jefferson Davis Highway on December 2. Roscoe Baker, from Chesterfield, died after he was hit at the intersection of Hull Street Rd. and Turner Rd. on Thanksgiving.
Coleman’s family was at the vigil, which was organized by a group of Coleman’s friend.
“Please, just come forward. Come forward. That’s all we ask,” Chris' father Earl Coleman said when asked about the driver who fled the scene.
Chris Coleman graduated from Meadowbrook High School, where he was on the baseball team. He had been working at the Amazon Warehouse in Chesterfield.
Friends described Chris as a funny guy, full of personality and always there for friends who needed him. Chris’ nickname was “dancing bear” because he loved to dance.
“We’re just looking for answers, looking for answers,” Earl Coleman said.
Earl questioned why nothing has been done to make the section of Hopkins Road where his son was killed safer for pedestrians.
There is only one street light along the stretch of road where Chris was hit. There is also ambient light from two buildings in the area.
Earl, who drives a truck for UPS, said even if drivers go the 45-mile-per hour speed limit, it is hard to see anything that might be in the road.
“That’s my son. My only son. My namesake. Gone,” Coleman said. “It hurts. It really hurts.”
Chesterfield Police said the crash team unit has no leads in locating the driver who hit Coleman and drove away.
