UPDATED: Pedestrian killed in hit-and-run accident at Green and Mathews

By Maaike Niekerk and Qaasim Jatoi • Dec 20, 2025

Flowers, teddy bears, photos and candles adorn a Dec. 22 memorial for Ororo Taylor, the 22-year-old Urbana resident who died after a driver struck her and fled on Dec. 20, while she was walking on campus. The search for that driver, who also hit a UIPD squad car, injuring an officer, is ongoing.

Last updated on Jan. 1, 2026 at 09:53 p.m.

Update — Dec. 22

The Champaign County coroner on Sunday released the name of the pedestrian who died as a result of injuries sustained in a hit-and-run accident at the corner of Green Street and Mathews Avenue early Saturday. Coroner Laurie Brauer identified the victim as 22-year-old Ororo Taylor of Urbana. Taylor was pronounced dead at 9:44 a.m. Saturday at Carle Foundation Hospital, WCIA reported.

In a statement Sunday, Urbana Mayor DeShawn Williams expressed his condolences for the victim’s family, friends and loved ones. He also thanked first responders and medical professionals for their work during the incident. The search for the driver of the vehicle that struck and killed Taylor is still ongoing. Williams encouraged those with relevant information to volunteer it to authorities.

“The Urbana Police Department continues to actively investigate this case and is searching for the driver who fled the scene,” Williams wrote. “I urge anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has information that could assist investigators to please come forward and contact the Urbana Police Department.”

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Update – Dec. 20

One pedestrian and a UIPD officer were injured in a hit-and-run car accident early Saturday morning. A 2:30 p.m. press release from the Urbana Police Department announced that the pedestrian had died from their injuries. The UIPD officer was reportedly “treated for minor injuries” and is in stable condition.

The accident occurred at 2:13 a.m. when a red Buick entered the intersection of Mathews Avenue and Green Street heading northbound on the southbound one-way. The Buick crashed into a UIPD squad car, which was heading eastbound on Green Street while on patrol duty.

The collision sent the Buick onto a sidewalk adjacent to the intersection, where it hit one member of a group of five pedestrians. The injured pedestrian and UIPD officer were both transported to Carle Foundation Hospital just after the incident.

According to the release, the Urbana Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit is still searching for the driver, who fled the scene on foot immediately after the crash. Identities of all individuals involved have not been released to the public as of 3:30 p.m.

Anyone with additional information on the accident can call UPD at 217-384-2320 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 217-373-8477.

CORRECTION: The person killed in the accident has had their name corrected to Ororo Taylor.

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About the Contributors

Maaike Niekerk, Managing Editor

Hello! My name is Maaike, and I’m a senior majoring in English with minors in journalism and music. I began working with The Daily Illini during the fall semester of my freshman year and joined the editorial team in 2023. I’m so excited to be working as our Managing Editor after serving as Arts & Entertainment Editor and Assistant buzz Editor over the past couple of years. As a Champaign native, I love covering local music and art to highlight different parts of our fun community. Outside of The Daily Illini, I’m a member of the Marching Illini and the Illini 4000 executive board.

Qaasim Jatoi, News Editor

Hi! I’m Qaasim, a senior majoring in molecular and cellular biology. I joined The Daily Illini in Spring 2024 as a staff writer and have since worked as Summer Editor, Creative Developer and Assistant News Editor. Now, I’m proud to lead the news section and help bring clear, timely coverage of the issues that matter most to our campus and community. Outside the newsroom, I work as an emergency medical technician for Abbott EMS in my hometown, Decatur, Illinois, and I’m planning to attend medical school next year. I’m a big fan of Frank Ocean, Quentin Tarantino flicks and trying new cuisines. Have a tip or a story idea? I’m always open to pitches — don’t hesitate to shoot me an email!