Perry Lee Urbana, III Passing and Tribute: 22-Year-Old Perry Lee Loses Life in Hit-and-Run Incident Close to University of Illinois Grounds

 Perry Lee Urbana, III Death and Obituary – In the early hours of December 20, 2025, Perry Lee from Urbana, aged 22, tragically passed away due to a hit-and-run incident near the University of Illinois campus. The event took place around 2:13 a.m. at the crossroads of Green Street and Mathews Avenue, creating a wave of shock in the local area and igniting significant concerns regarding pedestrian safety.

As per reports from the University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD), a red Buick Verano was driving recklessly at high speed against the flow of traffic on Mathews Avenue, which is a one-way street. The car collided with a UIPD patrol vehicle moving east on Green Street. The impact was so severe that it sent the Buick off the road and onto the sidewalk, where it hit Perry Lee, resulting in critical injuries.

At the moment of the collision, Lee was with a group of five friends and was getting ready to cross the street when the car struck him. First responders rushed him to Carle Hospital; however, despite the medical team's best efforts, he was declared deceased at 9:44 a.m. The UIPD officer involved suffered minor injuries and received treatment before being discharged.

Authorities have confirmed that the driver of the red Buick fled from the location on foot right after the collision. As of the most recent updates, the individual has not yet been caught. The Urbana Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit is spearheading the inquiry, with assistance from the University of Illinois Police and the Illinois State Police. Officials are appealing for anyone with details about the vehicle or the driver to step forward.

The untimely demise of Perry Lee has led to an emotional response from his family, friends, and the broader Urbana community. Officials at the University of Illinois have also expressed their sympathies, emphasizing the critical nature of road safety in campus-adjacent areas, which are frequently populated by pedestrians.

Community leaders are advocating for heightened awareness and more rigorous enforcement of traffic regulations to avert further tragedies. Local officials are assessing strategies like improved street lighting, traffic monitoring cameras, and better pedestrian safety signage to lessen the chances of accidents in areas with heavy foot traffic.

Perry Lee is fondly remembered as a lively individual whose life was heartbreakingly taken away too soon. His family and friends are organizing a memorial service to honor his life and contributions, inviting the community to unite in support during this challenging period.