Boxing star Hannah Rapp killed by alleged road rage driver while cycling in Texas

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A rising star boxer was killed after she was struck by an alleged road rage driver who deliberately reversed into her as she rode her bike along a Texas highway, police said.

Hannah Rapp, 26, who challenged for the WBC women's featherweight championship last month, died Saturday morning after being struck by a car, according to a

Rising boxing star Hannah Rapp was fatally struck by a road rage driver while she was cycling in Texas. Facebook/Bryan Boxing

The driver of the car, Charles Medina, 31, was later arrested and charged with manslaughter and was being held at the Brazos County Detention Center on $250,000 bond, according to police.

Authorities said Medina passed two bicyclists, Rapp and her boyfriend, at high speed and with just a foot to spare, causing the boyfriend to raise his arms and yell toward the vehicle, reported KBTX, citing an affidavit.

He then allegedly slammed on his brakes, skidded to a stop, put the vehicle in reverse, and rapidly accelerated backward, striking Rapp and knocking her into the roadway, deputies allege.

Rapp, 26, challenged for the WBC women's featherweight championship last month. Facebook/Bryan Boxing

The rear hatch of Medina's car was crushed inward, and the rear window was completely shattered, while investigators also found separate skid marks at the scene caused by the vehicle apparently braking and then backing up, the affidavit notes.

Medina claimed he heard the cyclists yell and throw their hands up, and, believing they were trying to flag him down, braked hard to come to a stop, according to the affidavit.

He told investigators he started backing up and didn't see Rapp until the last moment before hitting her.

When asked how fast he was reversing, Medina said, "15 miles per hour," according to the affidavit.

Physical evidence at the scene, including the skid marks and severity of the damage, didn't match Medina's claims and indicated heavy impact, investigators wrote.

Driver Charles Medina, 31, was later arrested and charged with manslaughter. Brazos County Detention Center

Rapp's boyfriend said Medina accelerated backward before striking Rapp, causing her to hit her head on the rear window.

Medina, of Navasota, has a lengthy rap sheet and has been booked into the Brazos County Jail 13 times since 2012, according to online jail records obtained by KBTX.

Those include criminal mischief, theft, resisting arrest, assault, hit and run, escape from custody, deadly conduct, possession of a controlled substance, and multiple driving offenses.

A native of Yorktown, Indiana, Rapp ran track at Purdue University before she took up boxing.

She relocated to College Station, Texas, turning pro in 2024 while still working full time as a fire and life safety inspector at Texas A&M University, ESPN reported.

Rapp started her boxing career 8-0-1, and, last month, challenged Tiara Brown for the WBC women's featherweight title at Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida, ultimately losing a unanimous decision.

Brown paid tribute to her former opponent, describing Rapp as "the best dance partner I have ever faced as a pro," in a comment on an Instagram post from Most Valuable Promotions announcing her death.

"When she asked for my autograph, it filled my heart because we were getting ready for war, yet she was still asking for my autograph. It made me smile, we fought a GREAT fight for the fans from the 1st bell to the last! It was my honor to share the ring with her," Brown wrote.

Tributes were also paid to Rapp from WBC's President, Mauricio Sulaiman.

"The loss of Hannah Rapp leaves us heartbroken. She was an exceptional boxer, but above all, an invaluable member of our boxing family," he said in a statement.

"We join in the grief that overwhelms her loved ones, her team, and all those who had the privilege of knowing and supporting her throughout her brilliant career," Sulaiman added.