Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker, considered one of the greatest lightweight boxers of all time, died Sunday after he was hit by a vehicle in Virginia, police said.

Axar.az reports ciitng CNN.

He was 55 years old.

Officers received a call around 10 p.m. ET about a incident involving a vehicle and a pedestrian, Virginia Beach police said in a news release.

The pedestrian, who died at the scene, was later identified as Whitaker.

The driver remained on site with police, the release said, and the investigation remains active.

"We lost a legend truly one of boxing's greatest Pound 4 Pound champions my father Pernell Sweetpea Whitaker," his son, Domonique Whitaker, wrote in a Facebook post.