A rising professional boxer was killed after being struck by a vehicle while bicycling on a road northeast of Austin on Saturday morning, local authorities said.
Hannah Rapp, 26, was riding in Brazos County with another cyclist when a driver identified as 31-year-old Charles Medina passed both cyclists, stopped in front of them, and reversed into Rapp, the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office said.
Rapp was taken to a local hospital where she died from her injuries. Medina was arrested and charged with manslaughter, authorities said.
According to court documents obtained by local station KBTX, the cyclist with Rapp, identified as her boyfriend, said Medina’s vehicle first closely sped past them at a high rate of speed. After he shouted and raised his hands at the driver, the vehicle abruptly stopped and reversed.
The collision reportedly shattered Medina’s rear windshield and crumpled part of its body. Skid marks were found in the road, suggesting that his vehicle braked at a high rate of speed, which Medina denied.
Medina — who KBTX reported has a long rap sheet with past arrests for assault, hit-and-run, and reckless driving — reportedly denied intentionally hitting Rapp. He said he thought the cyclists were trying to flag him down, prompting him to stop and reverse.
Rapp recently competed for the World Boxing Council’s Featherweight title.
