Update:
A Virginia Tech student died early Wednesday morning after being struck by a Blacksburg Police officer responding to an emergency call, marking the second pedestrian death of a university student this year, following the March death of 19-year-old Franklin Zhang.
Spencer Forsling was crossing at the intersection of North Main and Roanoke Street around 2 a.m. when the incident occurred. Forsling was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Virginia State Police has launched an investigation into the crash. The identity of the officer involved has not been released as the investigation remains active.
“The university community is heart-broken following this sudden loss,” said Mark Owczarski in a statement from Virginia Tech. “Our attention will focus on supporting family, friends, and colleagues who were a part of his vibrant life.”
This incident marks the second pedestrian fatality involving a Virginia Tech student in recent months, following the death of Franklin Zhang in March.
Local business owners and residents expressed concerns about traffic safety in downtown Blacksburg following the incident.
“This town needs to do something to divert some of this traffic off Main Street,” said Eric Bissey, owner of Nice Dreams Shop. “People are constantly running stop signs, running stop lights, it’s not safe. You got people trying to walk across the road, and they can’t get across the road.”
While acknowledging the tragedy, Bissey emphasized his confidence in local law enforcement. “We have a good police force here in town, and I know that was not the intention,” he said. “And it’s sad that it happened but once again, even if you are driving to an emergency scene you need to use caution.”
The incident has heightened existing concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety in the downtown area. Blacksburg resident Elisa Bostangian expressed shock at the news. “I got scared, like, is it somebody I know. Not that I know too many people around here, but yeah, too many bad accidents recently,” she said.
The Virginia State Police continues to investigate the factors that contributed to the crash.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Update:
VSP provided more details regarding the incident in which an officer hit and killed a pedestrian while responding to a call on Wednesday.
According to VSP, the crash occurred in the 100 block of North Main Street at 2:27 a.m. at the intersection with Roanoke Street.
A 2021 Town of Blacksburg Police Ford Explorer was traveling west, responding to an emergency call, when the vehicle struck a pedestrian crossing the street.
The pedestrian has been identified as 22-year-old Spencer Davis Woodson Forsling of Blacksburg. Forsling was crossing the street when he was struck and died at the scene, according to VSP.
The driver of the Ford was uninjured, and VSP is conducting an investigation to determine the factors in the crash.
When the investigation is complete, the findings will be turned over to the Montgomery County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for review and adjudication.
Original:
Virginia State Police is investigating after a Blacksburg police officer hit and killed a pedestrian while responding to a call, according to the police department.
The incident occurred early Wednesday morning at the intersection of North Main Street and Roanoke Street.
Details surrounding the circumstances of the crash are unclear at this time, but we will continue to update this article as more information becomes available.
Authorities said no further information will be released until family notifications have been made.
Stay with 10 News as this story continues to develop.