RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond City Council has voted to designate the block where Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) student Shawn Soares was killed by a driver in his honor.
On Thursday, May 4, 26-year-old VCU graduate student Shawn Soares was walking on the 300 block of West Main Street in Richmond when he was struck and killed after two drivers collided, sending one vehicle off the roadway.
Soares’ death came just a few months after 22-year-old VCU student Mahrohk Khan was struck and killed by a driver on West Main Street near North Laurel Street.
On Monday, Sept. 25, the city council voted to adopt ORD 2023-241, which will “designate the north side of the 300 block of West Main Street” in honor of Soares.
According to a release from VCU, Shawn Soares died in a traffic accident in the 300 block of West Main Street on Thursday evening. (Photo: Nicole Dantzler, 8News) 
According to a release from VCU, Shawn Soares died in a traffic accident in the 300 block of West Main Street on Thursday evening. (Photo: Nicole Dantzler, 8News)
The deaths of the two students sparked dialogue among members of the city council about the safety of West Main Street.
In the days following Soares’ death, Andreas Addison, who represents the city’s first district, suggested the possibility of converting Main Street and Cary Street to two-way roads due to the speed at which drivers travel the one-ways.
