Community vigil held for pedestrians killed in Richmond

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Loved ones of pedestrians killed in car crashes joined state and local leaders outside Richmond City Hall on Thursday, after Bike Walk RVA called a vigil to address pedestrian safety across the city.

Six pedestrians have been killed in Richmond since Christmas Day.

"This is Lauren, she’s my only child," said Kathy Fleming, holding a photo. "And this is a picture from her funeral."

Fleming’s daughter, Lauren Mychelle Jones, was hit and killed by a car on Nov. 29, 2025, on West Carnation Street. Fleming said the loss has left a lifelong impact.

"I left her at the hospital, not even able to give her a hug, waiting for the medical examiner to pick her up, to tear her apart," Fleming said.

City Councilmember Andrew Breton said many of the victims were doing exactly what they were supposed to be doing.

"People struck and killed while doing exactly what they should - just living in the city, crossing the street, sometimes even on a crosswalk with a lit walk sign," Breton said.

One of the pedestrians killed since Christmas was Bill Martin, the executive director of the Valentine Museum.

"Bill should not have died, not this way," said Senator Mike Jones. "The thing I appreciate about him is that he lived two lives. He lived a life in the past, and he bridged it into life in the present, but now he stepped into a life eternal… and it lives in the Valentine Museum."

Jones and Breton emphasized that pedestrian deaths are preventable and called for changes to how streets are designed and used.

"Reduce the traffic violence, safer street design, slower speeds, clear crossings," Breton said. "A commitment to put human life ahead of convenience and the courage to change the way we think about our spaces."

A community meeting is scheduled for Feb. 10 to discuss an upcoming pedestrian safety project.