🚨 BREAKING: Distracted Driver Hits Elderly Man in Virginia — Victim Identified as Father of Vikings Star Christian Darrisaw

June 16, 2025 – Richmond, Virginia

A devastating traffic accident rocked a quiet Virginia neighborhood today — and soon stunned the NFL community — when emergency crews responding to a multi-victim pedestrian crash discovered that one of the injured was the father of Minnesota Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw.

The incident occurred around 2:45 p.m. at a busy intersection in Henrico County, just outside Richmond. According to police reports and eyewitnesses, a driver ran a red light while allegedly using his cell phone and struck three pedestrians crossing legally at a crosswalk.

Among the victims: 65-year-old Anthony Darrisaw, a beloved member of the local community and father of one of the NFL’s rising stars on the offensive line.

A Tragic Hit — and a Personal Blow

Eyewitnesses said the driver — a 23-year-old male in a late-model SUV — appeared distracted as he sped through the red light.

“He never even looked up,” said Maria Gomez, a bystander who witnessed the crash. “There was a family in the crosswalk, and then — boom. It was terrifying.”

Emergency crews arrived on the scene within minutes. As paramedics worked to stabilize the elderly man and his family members, one of the responders recognized him.

“One of the firefighters just stopped and said, ‘That’s Christian Darrisaw’s father,’” a witness said. “The mood completely changed. It went from chaos to heartbreak.”

Darrisaw Leaves Team to Be with Family

Christian Darrisaw, a standout offensive tackle and key part of the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive line, was reportedly pulled from a team workout in Minneapolis when the news reached him.

According to sources close to the team, he immediately boarded a private flight to Virginia to be by his father’s side at VCU Medical Center, where the elder Darrisaw was airlifted in critical condition. Other family members involved in the crash sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The Vikings organization released a brief statement late Monday:

“Our thoughts and full support are with Christian and the entire Darrisaw family during this tragic and difficult time. We ask that their privacy be respected.”

Teammates, coaches, and NFL stars across the league took to social media using hashtags like #PrayersForDarrisaw and #VikingsFamily to show their support.

Driver in Custody, Charges Likely

Henrico County Police confirmed that the driver was taken into custody at the scene. Preliminary investigations indicate that he was texting while driving and failed to notice the red light or pedestrians in the crosswalk. He is expected to face multiple charges, including:

• Reckless driving

• Distracted driving

• Failure to yield to pedestrians

• Potential vehicular assault

Blood tests for alcohol and drugs are currently pending.

A Community in Mourning — and in Solidarity

Anthony Darrisaw was known in the Richmond area as a mentor to young athletes and a frequent speaker at high schools and community events. His son, Christian, has often credited his father’s discipline and work ethic as the foundation for his success.

“Everything I know about toughness and loyalty, I learned from my dad,” Christian once said in an interview.

Now, the NFL world waits with bated breath, hoping for a miracle recovery — and reckoning once again with the real-world dangers of distracted driving, which claims thousands of lives every year.

As fans gather outside both U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis and VCU Medical Center in Virginia, one thing is clear: Christian Darrisaw is more than a football player. He’s a son. And today, that matters more than anything on the field.