The quiet of an early Saturday morning in Urbana was shattered by a tragedy that has left a family shattered and a community searching for answers. Perry Lee, a 22-year-old with his whole life ahead of him, was standing on a sidewalk near the University of Illinois campus when he was struck and killed by a car. It wasn’t just a random accident; it was the result of a chaotic series of events involving a speeding vehicle going the wrong way down a one-way street.
It all started just after 2:00 a.m. at the intersection of Green Street and Mathews Avenue, right near the Illini Union. According to the Urbana Police Department, a red Buick Verano was flying the wrong way down Mathews Avenue. At the same time, a University of Illinois police officer was patrolling the area. The speeding Buick slammed into the officer’s squad car with enough force to send the vehicle spinning wildly out of control.
Perry Lee happened to be standing on the northeast corner of that intersection with four other people, likely just finishing a night out or heading home. As the Buick spun off the roadway and onto the sidewalk, it plowed into Perry. While the other pedestrians were spared, the impact left Perry with critical injuries. Emergency crews rushed him to Carle Hospital, but despite their best efforts, he was pronounced dead at 9:44 a.m. later that morning.
The officer involved in the initial collision was also taken to the hospital. Thankfully, their injuries were described as minor, and they were later released. However, the person behind the wheel of the Buick didn’t stick around to help. As soon as the car stopped moving, the driver jumped out and fled the scene on foot. Despite a massive search involving the Urbana Police, University Police, and Illinois State Police, the driver remains at large.
The loss has hit the city of Urbana incredibly hard. Mayor DeShawn Williams shared his heartbreak, noting that the entire community stands in solidarity with Perry’s loved ones. For those who knew him, Perry wasn’t just a victim in a news report. He was a young man full of potential and promise, described as a person whose presence truly mattered to those around him. His death is a staggering reminder of how a single reckless moment can steal a future away.
In the wake of the crash, the sidewalk where Perry stood has become a place of mourning. Friends and neighbors have expressed a deep sense of sorrow, struggling to process how someone so young could be taken in such a violent and senseless way. The investigation is now a top priority for the Criminal Investigations Unit, and they are leaning on the public for any bit of information that might lead to an arrest.
As the search for the driver continues, the focus remains on Perry Lee’s memory. The community is calling for justice, but they are also coming together to support a family facing an unimaginable holiday season. For now, the streets of Urbana are a little quieter as people stop to remember a 22-year-old whose story ended far too soon.
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