Rising featherweight boxer Hannah Rapp, 26, was killed Saturday in Brazos County, Texas, after a driver allegedly struck her while she was cycling. The driver, identified as 31-year-old Charles Medina, has been charged with manslaughter.
According to an affidavit, Medina was driving on FM 159 when he overtook Rapp and her boyfriend, Will Pollalis. Investigators state Medina's vehicle passed with only a foot to spare. In response, Pollalis yelled at Medina and raised his hands. Authorities allege Medina then braked sharply, put his car in reverse, and backed into Rapp.
The impact shattered the vehicle's rear window, and Rapp was thrown from her bicycle. She was transported to a hospital, where she died from her injuries. Medina reportedly told investigators he believed Pollalis was hailing him and stopped before reversing slowly to speak with him.
However, investigators noted that the damage to Medina's vehicle, including a broken rear window and crushed hatch, along with distinct skid marks, did not align with his account. The evidence, they stated, indicated a sudden, forceful impact consistent with braking and then accelerating in reverse. Mugshot of Charles Medina.
Medina, who is being held on a $250,000 bond, has a history of arrests in Brazos County dating back to 2012. His prior charges include assault, hit-and-run, deadly conduct, escape from custody, theft, and possession of a controlled substance, alongside various driving offenses.
Rapp, who previously competed in track at Purdue University, moved to Texas in 2024. She worked as a fire and life safety inspector at Texas A&M while pursuing her boxing career in Bryan, Texas. She had recently challenged for the WBC women's featherweight championship.
Tributes have poured in for Rapp. A friend-established fundraiser to support her family has raised over $20,000. Tributes describe her as resilient, brave, and insightful, always inspiring others. Her boxing coach, Carl Perry, expressed deep sorrow, remembering her positivity and talent, suggesting she had the potential to become a world champion and a hall of famer. A memorial has formed outside the Bryan College Station Boxing Gym, and plans for a candlelight vigil are underway.